Adrián Barbón, the President of the Principality of Asturias, underscored the culture of institutional respect characteristic of Uruguay during his visit to Montevideo. He called for the protection of democracy against polarization and the deterioration of public coexistence.
During his visit to the Centro Asturiano Casa de Asturias de Uruguay, Barbón noted that one of the aspects that struck him most during his stay was the climate of respect. He stated, “There is enormous institutional respect, and how important that is, because forms also define the substance.” He expressed concern that problems arise when politics becomes “a place of permanent insult to the opponent” and the opponent is confused with an enemy.
The President warned of the challenges currently facing democratic systems, stating that “democracy is a very delicate thing” that must be nurtured. He explained that often its deterioration is not evident: “Formally, they continue to be democracies, but it is like a piece of furniture with moths: from afar it looks perfect, but when you get closer, you see that it is deteriorating.”
In his speech, Barbón also advocated for the importance of Asturian communities abroad, emphasizing the need to maintain strong ties with Asturias. He remarked, “To be Asturian is to feel within Asturias.” He expressed gratitude for the efforts made over decades by those who have ensured the continuity of Asturian entities abroad, particularly praising the leadership of the Centro Asturiano Casa de Asturias de Uruguay for preserving Asturian roots and culture.
Barbón framed his visit within an institutional trip coinciding with the celebration of the World Congress of Asturianity, which will take place in Buenos Aires. This event marks the first time it is held outside of Asturias, and the decision to host it in Argentina aims to bring it closer to the Asturian diaspora. He explained, “I could have limited the trip to Argentina, but I wanted to cross into Uruguay.” He added, “I was eager to come because I have always felt at home here.” He also expressed his intention to maintain a close relationship with the Asturian community in the country, promising, “I assure you this is the first of many visits I hope to make in the future.”
Meeting with Yamandú Orsi
During his stay in Montevideo, Barbón met with the President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi. He expressed gratitude for the reception and highlighted the interest shown by Uruguayan authorities in the Asturian community residing in the country. He noted, “I told him that there are about 5,000 Asturians living here in Uruguay, and he was very interested in your reality.”
Regarding the rights of Spaniards living abroad, the President reaffirmed his commitment to defending their democratic participation, stating, “There cannot be two types of nationality. There is only one, and nationality inherently includes the right to vote.”
Barbón also dedicated part of his speech to highlighting the Asturian cider culture, which has recently been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. He emphasized the role of emigrant communities in preserving this tradition and drew a parallel between cider production and the collective work of the diaspora. “The process of producing cider was a collective process, where everyone helped each other. The same goes for this Asturian center. It has reached here thanks to the shared effort of many generations,” he noted.
Finally, he reiterated his gratitude to the Asturian community in Uruguay for keeping the connection with Asturias alive and for passing on that legacy to new generations. “For me, it is an immense pleasure to be here. When you get emotional talking about Asturias and share your stories with me, you give meaning to what it means to be Asturian,” he concluded.
