President of the Government attends ceremony to present José Manuel Caballero Bonald with 2012 Miguel de Cervantes Prize

Main Hall University, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid)

The ceremony was presided over by Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Asturias in the Main Hall of the University of Alcalá de Henares.

Besides the President of the Government, the ceremony was also attended by the Minister for Education, Culture and Sport, José Ignacio Wert; the State Secretary for Culture, José María Lassalle; the President of the Autonomous Region of Madrid, Ignacio González; the Mayor of Madrid, Ana Botella; and the Director of the Cervantes Institute, Víctor García de la Concha; as well as other figures from the world of politics and culture.

On accepting the award, José Manuel Caballero Bonald, author of "Manual de infractores" and "Entreguerras", highlighted the "comforting power" of poetry as a great necessity in today's world "besieged by trials and tribulations on human rights". He recalled Pavese, for whom poetry "is a form of defence against the onslaught of life". "One must always defend oneself with words from those who would try to take them from us", added the writer from Cadiz.

The Minister for Education, Culture and Sport, José Ignacio Wert, highlighted the commitment and rebellious nature of José Manuel Caballero Bonald, as well as the "critical and responsible" attitude "of someone who seeks freedom for life and writing", with the written word as their "only weapon".

In turn, the Prince of Asturias praised the "free word" of the poet and highlighted his "extreme integrity" and his "lucidity and courage", considering him a "benchmark of literary rigour". He also said that "restlessness, sometimes interpreted as discomfort, has been a key feature in his life and professional career".

José Manuel Caballero Bonald is now the latest addition to the list of authors to receive this award.