Nicolás Sánchez-Albornoz, a prominent figure in Spanish history, has reached the milestone of 100 years, an occasion marked by his reflections on a life shaped by three exiles during the Franco regime. His journey began with his escape from captivity in Spain, aided by fellow captive Manuel Lamana and foreign friends, leading him to France. The hardships continued as he sought refuge in Argentina and eventually the United States, where he taught at New York University and chronicled his experiences in his book 22Cárceles y exilios.22

During his extensive career, Sánchez-Albornoz served as the first director of the Instituto Cervantes, an institution dedicated to promoting Spanish language and culture worldwide, beginning his tenure in 1991. The institution is honoring him for his contributions and the legacy he has built over the years, highlighting not just his achievements but also his concerns about contemporary issues, including the disturbing rise of far-right ideologies in Spain and beyond.

As he reflects on his century-long life, Sánchez-Albornoz touches on the painful realities of his past—particularly the cruelty of political repression that separated families, which he underscores by stating, 22you can be very conservative, but nobody likes to have children torn from their mothers.22 This sentiment resonates deeply in a world still grappling with the consequences of authoritarianism and social injustice, making his voice a significant part of the ongoing discourse around tolerance and human rights.