Antonio Banderas is one of the most recognized Spanish names worldwide. From ‘Puss in Boots’ to ‘El Zorro’, through ‘Spy Kids’ and ‘The Skin I Live In’, the actor from Malaga has dazzled the world with his interpretations. In addition, he has always defended both the culture of Spain and Andalusia, something that has earned him the PEC award for the best Universal Ambassador of Southern Spain.
Banderas collected the award at a gala organized by the Association of Businessmen of Southern Spain (CESUR), on May 18 in his native Malaga. There, in addition to thanking the distinction, he took the opportunity to forcefully answer the criticism that the business sector has suffered from various sectors of the Spanish government. In particular, the actor considered that employers are important when giving jobs of multiple kinds.
“Entrepreneurs must be pampered because they are the ones who offer work. Giving work to many people and also doing it with what you like, that is the wealth and pride of an entrepreneur,” said the interpreter during the interview he gave after collecting his award from the Infanta Elena. “Real entrepreneurs don’t think that much about the bottom line,” he added. He stressed that they believed more in the possibility of generating employment.
Regarding the award with which he was presented, Banderas felt somewhat overwhelmed by the type of people he was in front of at the time of the gala: “It overwhelms me a bit in front of people who are here today, some with families of several generations. It encourages me to believe in my land.” The actor, who defined himself as a performing arts artist, especially defended the award given, giving it great importance within the propagation of his culture.
Even so, the man from Malaga especially valued the Anglo-Saxon culture that has propelled him to stardom. He particularly highlighted his high capacity for entrepreneurship and risk-taking, something that, in his opinion, young people should learn in the student environment. “You have to teach in universities; not just academic subjects, but a way of understanding life.” Likewise, the actor acknowledged that during his stay in the United States he learned to value his land much more.
Banderas reiterated that in Malaga, and in Andalusia by association, there is a great pool of talent. It is for this reason that the award-winning actor wants to provide his hometown with all the infrastructures that he has known on Broadway, so that in this way both artistic fields become equal and remain on similar grounds. An important work for the winner of an award that will carry deep inside.
