Comedian Manu Sánchez won the Silver Colombe prize for his work in spreading culture. When he went up to collect the prize, he did not hesitate to begin his speech by covering Rocío Jurado to prove the Andalusian right: “While I speak to you, convince yourself, nen escort, no one will talk to you, no one will speak, no one because I speak to you in a superhuman language,” he intoned in the Andalusian Parliament. But after his particular version of the famous song, he went further and dedicated an applaudable plea to health and education, peace and justice.
“I change all the s for z’s, I eat the endings and the letters,” the actor continued, ending with “if you don’t understand me, the problem is not me.” As he himself declared in his speech, there was no other way to begin his thanks, with a nod to Andalusia, which “does not speak bad Spanish but perfect Andalusian”.
In the room were, in addition to renowned personalities from the world of culture, young people present at the event. “Almost no dreams come true,” he told them. Of course, for them to come true, he continues, “we would all have to be able to allow ourselves to dream on the same mattress”. Because, according to him, “peace is not the absence of conflict”, but “the absence of injustice”. “Peace is not individual, it is collective.”
Between laughter and applause, the presenter also reviewed different symbols. Like the dove, which represents reconciliation and is also linked to its region by this olive branch. He also spoke about the Pillars of Hercules, which he said these two pillars represented health and education. “Don’t let our two columns touch us,” he asked.
Regarding the importance of taking care of one’s health, Sánchez referred to the cancer he was recently diagnosed with: “Public health was lucky enough to save my life,” he said.
And he spoke of two other symbols: the two lions of the Andalusian flag. One is sport and the other is culture, he said. And what is the culture? “He who bites.”
He ended his moving speech by evoking the figure of Blas Infante, “the one who said that there was nothing more universal than being Andalusian”. And with a final sentence: “Long live Andalusia free and in peace”.
