President of the Principality of Asturias, Adrián Barbón, reaffirmed the importance of emigration and Asturian communities worldwide as integral parts of Asturias' collective identity during his visit to the Asturian Center in Lanús. The visit included the restoration of an image of the Virgin of Covadonga in the Asturias square and a traditional dance exhibition.
Barbón stated that the Asturian diaspora is "an essential piece" for understanding the reality of the Principality. He described Asturias as a puzzle made up of two significant pieces: interior and exterior Asturias, emphasizing that the puzzle would be incomplete without either.
He praised the Asturian Center in Lanús, founded in 1925, for its ability to adapt over time, noting that it has successfully created spaces for young people and ensured generational continuity. This center has been revitalized post-COVID by descendants of emigrants settled in Argentina.
Barbón also highlighted that the commitment to involving younger generations will be evident at the upcoming V World Congress of Asturianity, which will take place in Buenos Aires. This congress will be the first held outside of Asturias, and it has been established that one of the three representatives from each Asturian center will be a young person to facilitate their participation.
He stressed the importance of ensuring generational continuity and passing on the Asturian sentiment from one generation to the next. During his speech, Barbón expressed gratitude towards Argentina for providing refuge to thousands of emigrants over the decades, stating, "How can we not be grateful to Argentina? It has been a home for many who had to leave Asturias in search of opportunities or, in many cases, simply to survive."
He noted that many Asturians emigrated due to economic reasons, while others were forced to leave following the Spanish Civil War. "Many had to leave Asturias because they had nothing to eat at home. Others had to leave to save their lives. Therefore, we must never forget our own history when discussing migration phenomena," he remarked.
Barbón further asserted that being Asturian is not determined by one's place of residence but by the connection to the land and shared values. "How can anyone question that you are Asturians? It does not matter where you live. What matters is maintaining that sense of belonging, love for Asturias, and commitment to its values," he assured the community members.
He also emphasized the role of Asturian centers as spaces for preserving and transmitting their culture. "The gaita, the drum, the dance, the bowling, the language, and our traditions are part of what it means to be Asturian. You are the ones who keep that legacy alive across the Atlantic," he acknowledged.
