Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has been honored with the Haydee Santamaria Medal by Miguel Diaz-Canel, the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic.
The award was presented on behalf of Cuba, following a recommendation from the Minister of Culture.
According to a report by the Presidency on X, Jorge Fornet, Director of the Centre for Literary Research of Casa de las Americas, praised the decision, stating that honoring Soyinka with a medal named after an extraordinary woman is an act of justice.
After the ceremony, Diaz-Canel met with Soyinka and expressed gratitude for his visit during a challenging time for Cuba, describing it as a visit from a brother who has always fought for just causes.
The Haydee Santamaria Medal is awarded to individuals and groups, both Cuban and foreign, who have contributed to the enrichment, defense, and integration of the region’s cultures and the Global South.
This event also marked Soyinka’s 90th birthday and the 60th anniversary of his first visit to Cuba. The Nobel Laureate has returned to the island on numerous occasions, and during the ceremony, he expressed a deep connection to Cuba, calling it his home.
Coinciding with the 63rd anniversary of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba, Soyinka was also presented with the Dulce MarÃa Loynaz International Prize.
Upon receiving the award from Uneac President Marta Bonet, he expressed his happiness and emotional connection to Cuba’s creative community.
Soyinka reflected on his political and cultural experiences in Cuba, acknowledging the nation’s vital role in Africa’s liberation, emphasizing that Cuba’s contributions to sovereignty and self-determination must not be forgotten.
Before the award presentation, theatre critic Omar Valiño described Soyinka as a “consistent man” whose work, deeply rooted in Yoruba culture, is marked by sincerity and intelligence.
During a cultural event, the director of the José Martà National Library of Cuba recalled Soyinka’s assertion that Cuba is connected to Africa by choice, not by chance. This statement, he said, encapsulates the enduring bond between Africa and the Caribbean, highlighting the solidarity and support Cuba has shown to the African continent through various historical efforts.
Soyinka’s political and civil struggles, which once led to persecution and imprisonment, remain a significant inspiration for current and future generations, making his presence in Cuba a valuable privilege for both Cubans and Africans.
