The Distinction was presented by Culture Minister Abel Prieto during the inauguration of Autes exhibition 'Transfiguraciones (Transfigurations) at the Museum of Fine Arts in the Cuban capital. This exhibition includes Autes pictorial works from 1951 to 2005 and it will remain open to the Cuban public until June 2.

"I am living a dream that I want Cuba and Spain to share. I hope that we can further improve our cultural relations. Let us work for a just society and for an independent Latin America," said the versatile artist upon receiving the award.

The inauguration of the exhibition was attended by the Spanish Ambassador in Cuba, Carlos Alonso Zaldivar, and by personalities of the Cuban culture sector such as painters Zaida del Rio and Roberto Fabelo as well as singer-song-writers Silvio Rodriguez and Vicente Feliu.

The exhibition is part of Cubas homage to the Spanish singer-song-writer, poet, film director and painter in the context of the Barnasants Festival that for the first time takes place beyond Spanish borders.

One of the highlights of this festival will be a concert dedicated to Luis Eduardo Aute on Friday night at Havanas Karl Marx Theater with the participation of renowned Cuban artists such as Silvio Rodriguez, Santiago and Vicente Feliu, Liuba Maria Hevia, Amaury Perez and Carlos Varela.

The agenda of the Barnasant Festival in Havana will conclude with the presentation of the text 'Poemigas next Saturday at the venue of the Cuban Book Institute in Old Havana.

(www.cubanews.ain.cu)