Claims that war will not destroy the culture, freedom or dignity of human beings
OVIEDO, 28 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
King Felipe VI has appealed to persevere in the consolidation of the European Union in the “crucial moment” that it is going through, while making it clear that the war in Ukraine can never destroy culture, nor the freedom or dignity of Humans.
In his speech at the end of the Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony at the Campoamor Theater in Oviedo, Don Felipe acknowledged that “adverse times such as the current ones provoke doubts and concerns about European construction itself” .
But precisely for this reason, he pointed out, “we cannot give up, we must persevere to consolidate this project, which has united us so much and continues to unite us”. “A project of progress, freedom, equity, respect, Human Rights, democratic principles, which deserves our loyalty and all our commitment at one of the most crucial moments in its recent history”, he stressed.
Don Felipe has emphasized “the importance that the EU has had and has for Spain”. “In the past it was a dream, an ambition, a historical aspiration. Today it is a reality that we live day by day. Today we are building Spain by building Europe, and we are part of the common destiny of a united Europe”, said the monarch.
Hence, he continued, “our involvement in that shared future, which means much more than belief in an ideal.” “It means the fight for convictions and principles to forge together a future of peace, justice, freedom and hope,” she asserted.
The King lamented the “immense and irreparable damage” that the war in Ukraine is bringing, which, he pointed out, threatens “our present and our future”, as do the wars in other parts of the world and that ” always represent a great failure for humanity”.
“In this and as in any war, everything that enriches us as human beings and that constitutes a legacy transmitted from generation to generation is a victim”, Don Felipe stressed, highlighting that “the war is destroying libraries, schools, music, museums , science, art”.
Thus, “culture is a victim of war.” “But war will never destroy culture; nor the values ??it represents; nor will the freedom and dignity of human beings, and which are the essence of these awards”, the monarch stressed, emphasizing that precisely they are the values ??that Europe also represents.
In this sense, he recalled that the origin of the EU is precisely in “the search for a permanent peace after the devastation caused by the two great world wars”. “The idea of ??a Europe united to achieve and preserve peace on the continent remains fully valid,” he added.
The King has also taken advantage of his speech to send a message to his daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, whom he has encouraged, like the rest of the young people, to follow the example of the winners of the Princess of Asturias.
“I encourage you to look even more at them, at their works, at their efforts and aspirations, at their generosity and gratitude. In this way they will help us even more to advance as a society”, Felipe VI defended, convinced that “they represent In short, values ??and qualities that are increasingly essential in this 21st century”.
“Dear winners, you are an example of what can be achieved by working from that unit, collaborating and cooperating for the common good, for others and with others. Thank you all very much for your example and commitment,” was the message from Don Felipe, who has also highlighted one by one the achievements and careers of all the winners.
