Nigerian literary icon and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, was honored with the Haydee Santamaria Medal at Casa de las Americas in Havana on Thursday.
The award was presented by Miguel Diaz-Canel, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, on behalf of the Cuban government.
The prestigious medal, awarded at the proposal of the Cuban Minister of Culture, recognizes individuals and groups who have significantly contributed to the enrichment, defense, and integration of the genuine cultures of Cuba and the wider Global South.
In his tribute, Jorge Fornet, Director of the Center for Literary Research at Casa de las Americas, praised Soyinka, stating that conferring the medal upon him “is an act of justice that honors us.”
The event coincides with Soyinka’s 90th birthday and marks the 60th anniversary of his first visit to Cuba.
Following the ceremony, President Diaz-Canel expressed his gratitude to Soyinka, acknowledging his longstanding commitment to just causes and describing his visit as a brotherly gesture during a challenging time for Cuba. Soyinka, in turn, reaffirmed the deep bonds between Africa and Cuba, declaring, “Cuba is also my home.”
