Prince of Asturias Awards 1981–2014. Speeches

P rince of A sturias A wards 1981-2014. S peeches 11 portion of their time to helping others; and there are also many young volunteers who have flocked to the flag of social commitment. All the social institutions, public and private alike, are turning to those in greatest need and in greatest suffering. While within families, the elderly are setting a great example of generosity by sharing the efforts of a life full of sacrifices with the younger members. Nor, thankfully, do we live in a society in which insurmountable pessimism has taken hold, as at other times in our history. Public affairs are debated in civil society; institutions and forums are created with the aim of contributing ideas, proposals and more in a constructive spirit. It is not a society indifferent to the management of matters of general interest, nor to our future. We have a living society, a society with a pulsing heart. I firmly believe, moreover, that the fraternal feelings generated over many centuries of coexistence are very present among us; centuries of sharing deep historical and family ties, so many emotions collectively suffered or enjoyed together. Feelings, in short, of respect, esteem and affection —of friendship—which have shaped us and which we must ever preserve and nurture, at all times, over and above tensions, discrepancies and disagreements. Spanish society has set down firm roots in democracy and freedom, it rejects violence and intolerance and has been able to integrate into its ranks people of different religions, languages and customs, many of whom today feel proud to have achieved the dream of becoming a Spanish citizen. We are a society true to our European vocation, proud of our Latin American dimension, aware of our place and our responsibility in the world… a world we are open to. We also live with a profound desire to progress and adapt to the demands of the times. Society demands rigorous reflection so as never again to commit unacceptable errors and excesses, with the firm desire to build a future based on rigour, trustworthiness, effort and honesty. A future of solidarity, based on strong ethical principles, in which integrity is rooted within our collective life and the management of our resources. We thus have many reasons, ladies and gentlemen, for surmounting adversity. To do so, we can count on the strength of Spanish society and its determination to overcome difficulties as the best guarantee for our future. We can count on the aspirations and hopes of our citizens as the best hope for Spain. A nation that millions and millions of citizens have built over the centuries and that today, all together in a shared project, we have the responsibility to carry forward in an ever unfinished endeavour. A nation that has never wavered in the face of adversity or renounced any of its dreams. A nation whose history is critical to understanding and explaining the history of humankind. Ladies and Gentlemen, I now bring to a close this ceremony replete with memories and emotions. Today is a day that strengthens our bond and commitment to the values that have at all times enabled mankind to progress and to the highest feelings defining humans. The work of our Laureates and the example of the greatness and dignity of the citizens of a small village in Galicia —a great exemplary Spanish village— both comfort and encourage us. They give us confidence; they spur us to be optimistic and to have hope; they make us see that doing things well is the way to make a better world and a better Spain. Thank you very much. “Society demands rigorous reflection so as never again to commit unacceptable errors and excesses.”