"In this diverse world, this extraordinary diversity that is now characteristic of all human societies, sometimes we all sing the praise, but also makes us all suffer at times. Because it's source of wealth for our countries, but so is stress. The nations are based on the foundation of ethnic diversity and immigration are among the most dynamics of the planet, and just look at the other side of the Atlantic to be convinced of this. But this dynamic often accompanying disorders, discrimination, hatred and violence .
diversity itself is neither a blessing nor a curse. It is simply a reality, something that can be put on record. The world is a mosaic of countless shades and our country, our provinces, our cities will be increasingly the image and likeness of the world. What matters is not whether we can live together despite differences of color, language or belief, what matters is knowing how to live together, how turn our diversity for the benefit and not calamity.
Living together is not something that comes from the inside men, the spontaneous reaction is usually to reject the other. To overcome this rejection is a need for prolonged work civic education. We must tirelessly repeat them and those that the identity of a country is not a blank page, where you can write whatever, or a page already written and printed. It is a page we're writing, there is a common heritage, institutions, values, traditions, a way of life, which every profess, but we all feel free to make our contribution on the basis of our own talents and our own sensibilities. recorded this message in the minds of today, from my point of view, the priority task of those who belong to the realm of culture.
Culture is not a luxury we can afford only in times Fausta. Its mission is to formulate the essential questions. About us Where are we going? What do we build? What company? What civilization? And based on what values? How to use the huge resources provided to us by science? How become tools of freedom and not slavery?
The role of culture is even more crucial in times misguided. And ours is an era gone astray. If we neglect this century just started will be a century of ethical decline, I say with regret, but do not say it lightly. It will be a century of scientific and technological progress, no doubt. But it will also reverse a century of ethics. Identity claims rages, violent on many occasions and in many cases, retrograde, it undermines the solidarity between nations and within nations, the European dream losing bellows, are eroded democratic values, is used too often to military operations and states of emergency ... Symptoms abound.
Before this setback in its infancy, we have no right to resign or give way to despair. Today what honors literature and honors us all is the attempt to understand the complexities of our time and to imagine possible solutions to continue living in our world. do not have a spare planet, we only have this old Earth, and it is our duty to protect it and make it harmonious and humane.
Thanks to everyone for the welcome given to me in this unforgettable ceremony "
Extract from the speech of the writer Amin Maalouf, Premio PrÃncipe de las Letras 2010, at the ceremony of presenting awards
0 comments:
Post a Comment