Cuba bestows national honor upon Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka

Wole Soyinka has been honored with the Haydee Santamaria Medal by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel for his significant contributions to culture and liberation.

The Cuban President, Miguel Diaz-Canel, has awarded Wole Soyinka, the Nobel Laureate, with a national medal of honor. Soyinka was awarded the Haydee Santamaria Medal on 23 August at the Casa de las Americas in Havana, Cuba.

The Cuban presidency issued a statement in which Diaz-Canel emphasized the importance of Soyinka’s visit, characterizing it as a visit from a dedicated advocate for righteous causes. The president highlighted the significance of awarding Soyinka the medal, emphasizing Cuba’s profound admiration for him. He also mentioned that the medal is named after Haydee Santamaria, who consistently emphasized the role of culture in revolution.

Jorge Fornet, director of the Centre for Literary Research at Casa de las Americas, expressed his appreciation for the recognition of Soyinka with the Haydee Santamaria Medal, stating that it is a well-deserved honor that brings us great pride. He observed that the medal has been bestowed upon numerous esteemed individuals in Latin American, Caribbean, and global intellectual communities.

The ceremony also commemorated Soyinka’s 90th birthday and honored the 60th anniversary of his initial visit to Cuba. Soyinka emphasized the significance of enhancing the connections between Africa and Cuba, highlighting that the South American nation holds a special place in his heart.

“Our connections with Cuba extend beyond art and literature to the concept of liberation,” stated Soyinka. I grew up immersed in the enchanting melodies of Cuban music, during a time when gramophones filled the air with their nostalgic tunes, in an era before the advent of electricity. This experience has been a delightful reminder of my connection to Cuba, my beloved homeland. And it’s evident that Yoruba culture permeates every aspect of life here, which deeply resonates with individuals like myself.

The Haydee Santamaria Medal is given to individuals and groups, both Cuban and foreign, who have made significant contributions to the goals of Casa de las Americas. In addition, Soyinka was awarded the Dulce María Loynaz International Prize by the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba. Omar Valiño, a theatre critic and theorist, commended Soyinka for his unwavering nature, highlighting how his intellectual contributions are rooted in the profound wisdom of Yoruba culture.