In an emotional ceremony in Barcelona, Marisol Schulz Manaut, director of the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL), received the Gold Medal for Cultural Merit. During her acceptance speech, she shared her profound connection to Catalan literature and music, which she credits with helping her understand the resilience of culture in the face of oppression and barbarism. Schulz highlighted the necessity of defending not just the right to speak one's own language, but the fundamental right to exist and flourish within a different culture.

Schulz's remarks took a critical view of contemporary issues, particularly in the United States, where Spanish speakers face persecution. She argued that cultural differences are often perceived as a threat by dominant societies, leading to the marginalization of minorities. Her emphasis on the repetition of history serves as a warning about the fragility of cultural rights in the face of growing totalitarian sentiments.

Moreover, Schulz pointed to the targeted attacks of totalitarian regimes on cultural expressions. These regimes often seek to control and distort cultural narratives for their own purposes, transforming them into tools for propaganda. The dangers of this manipulation were underscored in her speech, making a compelling case for the need to safeguard cultural diversity against oppressive forces.