The King praises youth talent and highlights the "ties" with Catalonia

Princess Leonor defends the "ethic of a job well done and the pursuit of the common good."

"When you trust young talent, wherever it comes from, it finds its path and has the power to transform the present." This was emphasized by King Felipe VI on Wednesday at the annual presentation of the Princess of Girona Foundation awards to young people who have excelled in the arts, research, social welfare, and business.

The monarch expressed his gratitude for the work carried out by the organization, founded 16 years ago. He emphasized that it is a "true platform of opportunities for youth" and that it also contributes "significantly" to "strengthening ties between Catalonia and the rest of Spain."

The ceremony took place at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona , which the monarch described as a "great meeting point for our culture: Catalan, Spanish, and European." He recalled that in June, he visited the Monastery of Montserrat , which, along with the Liceu, are "symbols of the history of Catalonia" where "emotions unite beyond words." "It is a true joy to be back in this welcoming city of Barcelona," he stated.

The Princess of Asturias and Girona explained that this year's summer reading program includes Eduardo Mendoza, author of the celebrated historical novel The City of Marvels , whom she will receive in the coming days in Oviedo. The Princess praised the "determination and patience" of the award winners and their commitment to "the ethic of a job well done and the pursuit of the common good."

This year's awards included Pablo Sánchez Bergasa , founder and director of the NGO Medicina Abierta al Mundo (Social Award); Manuel Bouzas Barcala, architect and teacher (Art); Andreu Dotti Boada , engineer and co-founder of Innovat (CreaEmpresa); Antoni Forner-Cuenca , chemical engineer (Research); Valentina Agudelo , founder of the startup Salva Health (International - CreaEmpresa); and Gabriela Asturias, scientist (International - Research).