Gabriel García Márquez - Im Not Here to Give a Speech

Generally, at all social events like this one, a person is designated to give a speech. That person always looks for the most appropriate subject and then develops it for those in attendance. Im not here to give a speech. For today Ive chosen the noble subject of friendship. But what could I tell you about friendship? I might have filled a few pages with anecdotes and aphorisms that in the long run would not have led me to the desired goal. Each of you should analyse your own emotions, consider one by one the reasons why you feel an incomparable preference for the person in whom you have confided all your most private thoughts, and then you will know the reason behind this ceremony.

The chain of ordinary events that has joined us with unbreakable bonds to this group of boys who today will begin to make their way in life, that is friendship. And that is what I would have talked to you about today. But, I repeat, Im not here to give a speech, and I want only to appoint you the honest judges in this proceeding and invite you to share with the student body of this institution a sad moment of farewell.

Here they are, ready to leave: Henry Snchez, the appealing dArtagnan of sports, with his three musketeers, Jorge Fajardo, Augusto Londoo, and Hernando Rodrguez. Here are Rafael Cuenca and Nicols Reyes, one like the shadow of the other. Here are Ricardo Gonzlez, the great knight of test tubes, and Alfredo Garca Romero, declared a dangerous individual in the field of every dispute: together, their lives exemplify true friendship. Here are Julio Villafae and Rodrigo Restrepo, members of our parliament and our journalism. Here are Miguel ngel Lozano and Guillermo Rubio, apostles of precision. And here, Humberto Jaimes and Manuel Arenas and Samuel Huertas and Ernesto Martnez, consuls of devotion and goodwill. Here is lvaro Nivia with his good humour and intelligence. Here are Jaime Fonseca and Hctor Cullar and Alfredo Aguirre, three different people and only one true ideal: victory. Here, Carlos Aguirre and Carlos Alvarado, united by the same name and the same desire to be the pride of their nation. And here are lvaro Baquero and Ramiro Crdenas and Jaime Montoya, inseparable companions of books. And, finally, here are Julio Csar Morales and Guillermo Snchez, like two living pillars who bear on their shoulders the responsibility for my words when I say that this group of boys is destined to endure in the best daguerreotypes in Colombia. All of them are going in search of the light, impelled by the same ideal.

Now that you have heard the qualities of each, Im going to offer the verdict that you as honest judges must consider: in the name of the Liceo Nacional and of society, I declare this group of young men, in the words of Cicero, regular members of the academy of duty and citizens of intelligence.

Honourable public, the proceeding has concluded.