As part of the program of the activities of the International Colloquium” The Cultural diversity in the Caribbean”, the Caribe Diverso Distinction was awarded for the first time to the Caribbean festival of Santiago de Cuba the Fiesta del Fuego (Fire Party) , on its thirtieth anniversary.

Likewise, the director of the Center of Caribbean Studies, Yolanda Wood called attention to the deep symbolic character of this festival and offered the word to Tomas Fernández as the historical follower of the festival, who stated that this Caribbean event responds to the search, rescue and defense of the Cuban identity, the need for the Cuban people to preserve our space and our culture not Spain’s nor Africa’s, but Cuba’s and the Caribbean that is really ours.

Then, Yolanda Wood read the agreement by the Management Council of the Casa de las Americas where it was decided to award this distinction to the Caribbean Festival, and the reading finished with the typical sound of the Chinese cornet that every year starts the Festival in Santiago de Cuba.

Wood also read the letter from the director of the Caribbean Centre in Santiago de Cuba, Orlando Verges Martinez, to Roberto Fernández, president of the Casa de las Americas. In which the director of the Caribbean institution appreciated the Caribe Diverso distinction for the Festival, on behalf of the workers and artists who have made it possible, for thirty years without a break, to celebrate the Fiesta del Fuego as the Caribbean Festival is popularly known.

Raul Ruiz Miyares, specialist and researcher of the Casa del Caribe, and organizer of the festival highlighted the importance of this award by La Casa de las Americas was for them, granting the Caribe Diverso Distinction to the Caribbean Festival. There Cuban and Caribbean Folk Music groups, between their music and colors expose the typical joy of the nation and strengthen the friendship among peoples as well as the great intellectuals that give the nations honorable examples of admiration and respect.

Likewise, he thanked the institution, Roberto Fernández Retamar and Yolanda Wood for the distinction, conscious that the peoples of Santiago de Cuba and the Caribbean are the legitimate heirs of such a high honor. The act finished to the rhythm of the Chinese cornet and the Santiago de Cuba conga.

Translated by: Daysi Olano