Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has awarded the Haydee Santamaria Medal to Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka during a ceremony held on August 23 at the Casa de las Americas in Havana. This honor recognizes Soyinka’s contributions to culture and his commitment to social justice.
In a statement, President Diaz-Canel described Soyinka’s visit as “the visit of a brother who has always fought for just causes.” He emphasized that awarding the medal reflects Cuba’s deep respect for Soyinka, noting that Haydee Santamaria, the medal’s namesake, highlighted the importance of culture in revolutionary movements.
Jorge Fornet, director of the Centre for Literary Research at Casa de las Americas, remarked that honoring Soyinka with this medal is “an act of justice that honors us,” pointing out that the award has previously been given to many distinguished figures in Latin American, Caribbean, and global intellectual circles.
The ceremony also marked two significant milestones: Soyinka’s 90th birthday and the 60th anniversary of his first visit to Cuba. In his remarks, Soyinka underscored the importance of strengthening ties between Africa and Cuba, stating, “Our ties with Cuba are not limited to art and literature, but also to liberation.” He reminisced about growing up listening to Cuban music, reinforcing his connection to the island.
In addition to the Haydee Santamaria Medal, Soyinka was presented with the Dulce María Loynaz International Prize by the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba. Omar Valiño, a prominent theatre critic, praised Soyinka as a “consistent man,” highlighting how his intellectual work draws from the ancestral wisdom of Yoruba culture.
Wole Soyinka, awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, is renowned for his plays, essays, and activism against oppression and injustice.
