Canarias celebrates its day with an institutional event where it has awarded the Gold Medals after a month full of activities.
President of Canarias, Fernando Clavijo, highlighted that the archipelago «never» gives up and will not do so in the search for a solution for unaccompanied immigrant minors in the islands because, he pointed out, their history is full of «overcome challenges.»
«Our history is full of overcome challenges despite facing them from loneliness and the State’s neglect, but our strength was unity and perseverance. Canarias never gives up, just as it will not give up in the search for a definitive solution to the situation of migrant children traveling alone,» Clavijo emphasized during his speech at the institutional event for Canarias Day.
Canarias, he pointed out, is the «first home» for more than 5,500 unaccompanied migrant minors who «have traveled alone, crossing the sea in search of a dignified life» and who «need attention, protection, and a future.» However, he stressed that this «cannot be solely the task» of the archipelago.
He added that «it is everyone’s responsibility,» as stated in a new law, but pointed out that «while the noise from Madrid delays the solutions and these children are used as a political attack argument, in Canarias, these minors have a whole community by their side that watches over their dignity, their rights, and their future.»
Thus, he explained that Canarias is a «land of welcome» but also a «land of departure,» as he recalled that more than half a million Canarians crossed the Atlantic last century in search of a better life.
«Many, too many, did not return. They died in the attempt or died in their host countries where they built new lives and could never return to their homeland,» he added to emphasize that thanks to their remittances, «thousands of families in the islands could eat, thousands of children could study, grow healthily, and build a different future than they were destined for.»
To them, he said, Canarias owes what it is, «a community that does not forget, a community that does not discriminate, a community that is eaten up by rage and impotence to see girls and women die three meters from the dock,» a community that «defends that human dignity knows no borders or politics.»
FUERO CANARIO
In this sense, he emphasized that Canarias is «a community with identity, with rights, and with a fuero,» emphasizing that a fuero «is not a privilege but a guarantee of equality in difference,» so he reaffirmed the commitment to defend it.
Clavijo pointed out that they do not ask for «privileges,» but demand «respect,» because Canarias is an «essential part» of this State, and without it, «Spain and Europe are not complete,» thus claiming «its place in the world.»
«ONE PEOPLE, ONE VOICE»
In his speech, the Canarian president emphasized that, with its eight islands, Canarias is «one people, one voice, capable of uniting to defend its rights and what is just,» since the challenges they face «are not resolved through division or confrontation. They are resolved through unity.»
Therefore, he advocated for the «Canarian way of coexisting,» prioritizing dialogue over confrontation. He also highlighted that the islands currently have the best-educated generation of young people, with two public universities, 11 public hospitals, and over 900 schools, showing a «modern, egalitarian, and supportive Canarias. A Canarias that works.»
A MONTH OF CELEBRATION
Canarias closes this Friday, with the institutional event held at the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, a month of celebration where the Awards and Gold Medals have been awarded.
Throughout this week, the islands have hosted 35 events spread across the archipelago to promote and reinforce the commemoration of this official day, and on May 30, the institutional event was led by the president of Canarias, Fernando Clavijo.
In this edition, the Canarias Awards have been granted to Juan Jesús Armas in Literature, Michelle Alonso in Sports, and Centro de la Cultura Popular Canaria in Popular Culture.
Meanwhile, the 14 Gold Medals of Canarias in 2025, which recognize individuals and entities for their work for the benefit of Canarian society, will be awarded to Unión Deportiva Las Palmas 75 anniversary, Sociedad cultural, de recreo y deportiva Torrelavega; Andrés Sánchez Robayna, Yolanda Arencibia, Club Atletismo Teseida, Pastas La Isleña, Efigenia Borges, Agustín Fernández López, Aralda Rodríguez, Colectivo Guanches de Candelaria and Asociación Guanches de Güímar; Asociación Más Ruines que Caín, Costaleros Nuestra Señora del Carmen de La Isleta, Calixto Herrera and Mestisay.
Regarding the awardees, Clavijo highlighted that they are «precisely the example of that effort, projecting and defending» the Canarian identity and culture, «preserving it and disseminating it, being able to take Canarias all over the world through art, culture, sports, literature, gastronomy, and solidarity.»
Therefore, he pointed out that «today is a day to celebrate but also to recognize those who have dedicated their lives to make Canarias a better place.»
Regarding this year’s Gold Medals, he explained that they distinguish diverse trajectories but united by commitment and excellence, highlighting individuals and entities that, through art, entrepreneurship, science, social action, or culture, have contributed from each of the islands to «build a better Canarias.»
The president of Canarias concluded by calling on Canarian society that united they are «stronger,» indicating that the challenges ahead are «enormous» but emphasizing the «immense strength» of a community that «never gives up.»
FUENTE