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Antonio Paniagua
Madrid
Viernes, 10 de enero 2025, 14:15
Manuel Azaña's 'in memoriam' legacy, an enlightened voice of reason, was placed this Friday in the Caja de las Letras at the Cervantes Institute in Madrid, during an event marking the 145th anniversary of the birth of the politician and writer. President of the Council of Ministers (1931-1933) and of the Second Republic (1936-1939), Azaña was honoured by participants at the gathering, including the Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, and the director of the institution, Luis García Montero, who highlighted his words of 'peace, pity, and forgiveness', spoken in his famous speech on July 18, 1938, two years after the start of the Civil War. Azaña then urged Spaniards that if ever they felt their 'angry blood' boiling, they should listen to the voice of those who fell in battle defending a 'grand ideal' and no longer harboured hatred or resentment.
Azaña, perhaps the most distinguished parliamentary speaker Spain has ever had, according to Salvador de Madariaga, remains in the memory of those who gathered today at the Cervantes Institute to pay tribute to the author of 'La velada en Benicarló'. 'In this event, we pay tribute to the man, the statesman, the writer, the reference for millions of Spaniards who defended freedom and democracy against tyranny, intolerance, and violence. And with him, we also pay tribute to values, those values so dear to him, such as the defence of freedom, democracy, and social justice, which today are shared by the vast majority of Spaniards,' said Albares.
An indefatigable author and politician, Azaña lived through a tumultuous era with the calm talent typical of a man of letters. Despite the roar of violence, he advocated for an 'open and tolerant' Spain, which, according to the minister, is possible today in a plural and advanced country like Spain. 'Remembering his figure is to remember what he defended, what he fought for and believed in. It is to remember, as he said, that one must govern with reason and votes, from conviction and persuasion, without ever falling into the traps, so current at this time, of slander and lies.'
As a writer, he excelled as a great essayist who passionately studied Juan Valera and his novel 'Pepita Jiménez'. A champion of Miguel de Cervantes, he published the novel 'El jardín de los frailes', theatrical works such as 'La corona' and 'La Velada en Benicarló', while also serving as president of the Ateneo de Madrid, one of the great cultural institutions of the time.
For Luis García Montero, Azaña's legacy is summarised in the adage that power cannot forget ethics, even in the most difficult situations. 'I am proud that Spain, today heir to the thought of Manuel Azaña, can speak of concord, equality, pride, and memory,' he assured.
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