The President of the Principality of Asturias today defended the work of the Fundación Archivo de Indianos-Museo de la Emigración de Colombres for keeping the memory alive and serving as a meeting place, culture and vindication of Asturianness, «which has no borders». During the 5th Spanish-American Meeting, held in the capital of Ribadedeva, Adrián Barbón highlighted the commercial and economic ties that are woven in these events «that also build, without a doubt, the Asturias of the future».
During his speech, the head of the Executive announced that the regional budgets for 2024 will reflect a 50% increase in the budget for the Archivo de Indianos, which pays tribute to economic and political emigration. He also referred to the return policies promoted by his cabinet within the overall framework of actions to address the demographic challenge. In this regard, he announced that the Principality will register in the General Assembly, as soon as possible, the Demographic Impulse Bill, which will facilitate the return «of those who have had to leave Asturias to make a living». «We will open the doors and windows of the Principality for those who want to return,» he guaranteed.
Barbón recalled that the census of residents abroad amounts to 138,000 people: «Although not all of them were born here, they are descendants and they proudly carry their Asturian identity around the world».
He also invited all the participants in the meeting to collaborate in order to face «the great decade of change».