Words by President of the Government at event to sign Memorandum of Understanding for restoration of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral complex

Santiago de Compostela

President of the Regional Government of Galicia, Mayor of Santiago de Compostela, Dean of the Cathedral, public officials, representatives of the media, ladies and gentlemen, my dear friends,

As you are aware, and we have been reminded of here, the conservation of our historic and artistic heritage is undoubtedly a duty that combines the remembrance of our shared history and of all those people who came before us and gave their best to leave a legacy. But conserving our heritage is also an investment and a pledge to our future because we have a duty to preserve the integrity and wealth of this inheritance for generations to come.

I believe that these two profound reasons for conserving our heritage take on particular relevance here in Santiago de Compostela, in Obradoiro Square, because the conservation of the integrity of this monument complex is of undoubted historic and spiritual significance, standing as an urban flagship of beauty in Europe and due to the importance of Santiago de Compostela, is a work that will not end with us.

This is a work that will benefit not only the people of Galicia and the rest of Spain, but also so many other people from around the world who, past, present and future, decide, for a variety of reasons, to walk St James's Way to the capital of Galicia.

Ladies and gentlemen,

For these reasons, along with many others, the signing of this Memorandum today between the Central Government, the Regional Government of Galicia, the City Council and Archbishopric of Santiago for the restoration of this cathedral complex is as important an event as it is positive.

It is for the coordination work between public administration services, including the ecclesiastic authorities, which is always commendable, but also for the commitment that each and every party to the Memorandum is prepared to make, according to their sphere of responsibility.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Since the declaration in 1896, confirming Santiago as a Historic-Artistic Monument, a long and successful path has been followed in the conservation and in the renown of this city. A great example of the success of these efforts is the almost interminable list of awards and recognitions given to the capital of Galicia, from its Declaration as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 to various Europa Nostra awards, or the Best Practices award from the United Nations for the work to protect and retrofit the Historic City, without forgetting, of course, the Declaration as a World Heritage Site in 1993 of this backbone of Europe that it St James's Way.

By signing this Memorandum, we wish to maintain and drive forward the tradition of excellence of which I sincerely believe that all Spaniards can and, moreover, should legitimately feel proud.

The government also wants to show its sense of responsibility towards a monument complex which is undoubtedly one of the greatest treasures not only of Galicia, but of the Spanish nation and indeed the European continent.

For that reason, the Memorandum provides for a significant contribution which, as recalled here before, is a follow on from a milestone of such importance as was the approval, back in 2009, by the Santiago Consortium, of the Cathedral Master Plan, referred to earlier in the speech by the President of the Regional Government of Galicia.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As mentioned, the restoration and conservation works will be focused on Santiago Cathedral, but it is clear that these works will positively affect the city as a whole, and as the mayor said, its people as a whole. By restoring the cathedral, we will not only maintain its original integrity, but also re-launch the cathedral, for future generations, as a source of attraction for pilgrims and other visitors as indeed it has always been.

Ladies and gentlemen,

To close off my speech, I wanted to speak to you about the universal vocation of Santiago.

This is a place which, due to its close ties to the history of Galicia and to the whole of Spain, confirms our condition as both Galicians and as Spaniards, and we should not forget that, for many centuries, for millions of Europeans, thinking of Spain meant thinking, to a great extent, of Santiago de Compostela.

This long road enriched the spirit of many Europeans and for us, for Galicians and Spaniards, it also enriched us since it gave us a unique tie to Europe. Santiago thus contributed to our identity as Galicians, Spaniards and Europeans, and thus also contributed to bringing about this shared home that is Europe.

And, in this regard, I simply wanted to say that, by contributing to the conservation of Santiago and its cathedral, we are paying tribute to these Spanish and European ideals. And, above all, we are asserting their relevance and value for both the present and the future.

Thank you very much.