• Submitted by: admin
• Arts and Culture
• 10 / 25 / 2006

This important recognition was awarded to them by the members of the Buró Político del Partido Comunista de Cuba (Politburo of the Cuban Communist Party), Esteban Lazo, Ricardo Alarcón and Abel Prieto and by the poet Roberto Fernández Retamar, president of the Casa de las Américas.

Fernández Retamar pointed out that this medal was instituted by the Consejo de Estado de la República de Cuba (State Council of the Republic of Cuba) on the thirtieth anniversary of the cultural institution, to honor intellectuals and artist from Our America, distinguished by promoting the best of human values.

He specified that before this the only Cuban to have ever received this award was the painter Mariano Rodríguez, who was the president of the Casa, after the death of its founder Haydeé Santamaría Cuadrado, Heroine of the Moncada.

He added that this was the first time that it was awarded to a group of Cuban creators, who have maintained a close link with the Casa de las Américas and who have made huge contributions to the nations all-embracings culture.

On behalf of the guests of honor, the singer and composer Silvio Rodríguez expressed that to have Haydeé over the chest is an invitation to be honest and completely human.