Peace Prize goes to pilgrim route

MADRID – Spain’s top peace award this year goes to… a path.

The ‘Camino de Santiago’, a Christian pilgrim route through France and Spain to Santiago de Compostela, traditionally considered the burial site of Apostle Saint James, beat 38 other nominees to scoop the Prince of Asturias Award for Concord. The award is given each year to a person or group whose work has contributed “to the brotherhood of mankind, to the struggle against injustice, poverty, disease or ignorance… to opening new horizons of knowledge.”Last year it went to Harry Potter author JK Rowling.Organisers said on Tuesday the Santiago trail had won it for promoting international peace and co-operation by helping create a shared European identity.Believers have trodden the path for some 1 200 years.Tourists drawn by mediaeval sites and beautiful scenery have swelled their numbers recently and over six million visitors are expected to flock to the windswept northwestern city this year.The foundation that organises the award said it had not yet decided who would accept the 50 000 euros (about N$400 000) prize, which also includes a sculpture by Spanish artist Joan Miro, on behalf of the trail.It suggested it could be the Church or a foundation that runs hostels along the way for travellers.Other past winners have included physicist Stephen Hawking and the American Foundation for AIDS research.- Nampa-ReutersThe award is given each year to a person or group whose work has contributed “to the brotherhood of mankind, to the struggle against injustice, poverty, disease or ignorance… to opening new horizons of knowledge.”Last year it went to Harry Potter author JK Rowling.Organisers said on Tuesday the Santiago trail had won it for promoting international peace and co-operation by helping create a shared European identity.Believers have trodden the path for some 1 200 years.Tourists drawn by mediaeval sites and beautiful scenery have swelled their numbers recently and over six million visitors are expected to flock to the windswept northwestern city this year.The foundation that organises the award said it had not yet decided who would accept the 50 000 euros (about N$400 000) prize, which also includes a sculpture by Spanish artist Joan Miro, on behalf of the trail.It suggested it could be the Church or a foundation that runs hostels along the way for travellers.Other past winners have included physicist Stephen Hawking and the American Foundation for AIDS research.- Nampa-Reuters