Fernández Retamar receives José Martí International Award

The José Martí International Award, which is given every two years by Unesco, was awarded to the poet and essayist Roberto Fernández Retamar, who has dedicated a great part of his life to the study of the highest figure in the history of the country, and who has turned in the first Cuban in receiving so important distinction.

It happened in that way during the opening of the IV International Conference For the Balance of the World, space where Katherine Muller Marin, director of the Regional Office of Culture for Latin America and the Caribbean of Unesco, highlighted the bonds that join José Martí with the organization of the United Nations.

According to Muller Marin, one century before the foundation of the Unesco, he shared his vision regarding the education, which has to be inclusive, equitable, of quality and accessible in all the stages of life.

They also used to share the principles of recognize and defend the cultural diversity, and the importance of the information and the communication in the development of the societies, the high representative pointed out.

Fernández Retamar, when receiving the distinction, manifested a huge gratitude with the Unesco, members of the jury, and with the José Martí Project of International Solidarity, which called to the great appointment.

He remembered that his devotion for Martí remounts to the earliest adolescence, and he has dedicated to the Master three books, numerous essays, conferences, anthologies and editions of Martí’s work.

I have proposed myself to be loyal to Martí’s ideals; he expressed, and added that the National Hero is, without possible discussion, the best of the Cubans.

In accordance with the official site of the Unesco, the Prize is aimed to promote and reward the particularly admirable activity that, agreeable with the ideology and spirit of José Martí, and embodying the vocation of sovereignty and the liberating fight of a nation has contributed to the unity and integration of the countries from Latin America and the Caribbean and the preservation of their identities, cultural traditions and historical values.

Established in 1994, this is the eighth time that this award is given and among who have won it Hugo Chávez, Frei Betto and Oswaldo Guayasamín highlight.