How can we measure the contributions of those who give their body and soul every day for the greater good over so many years? How can we say thank you in the best way possible without seducing egos or triumphalism? Familiar faces and necessary souls gathered yesterday in the lobby of the Tunas Theater. The culture of Las Tunas thanked them through decorations, even though it knows that they deserve more but, as Martí said, "To honor, honors."
Las Tunas, Cuba.- The solemn ceremony was held with the attendance of the Minister of Culture Alpidio Alonso, Governor Jaime Chiang, and other authorities. The Plaque for the 195th Anniversary of the Birth of Juan Cristóbal Nápoles Fajardo (El Cucalambé) was given to several cultors of Cuban traditions: Anais Ray, director of the Provincial Center of Cultural Houses; the intellectual Carlos Tamayo, the poet and professor Guillermo Castillo Ramírez, the improviser Dimitri Tamayo and Ramón Batista, director of the Ibero-American House of the Décima El Cucalambé, among others.
The Raúl Gómez García Distinction was delivered to outstanding workers with 20 and 25 years of uninterrupted work in the cultural sector. Anais and Dimitri also deserved this decoration, along with Julio Peña Ferrales, Ramón Carlos Leyva, and others.
As a culmination, the Distinction for National Culture was awarded to five personalities: the writer and researcher Marina Lourdes Jacobo, president of the Nicolás Guillén Foundation in Las Tunas; the cultural promoter Ramón Batista, leader of the Casa de la Décima; the actress Verónica Hinojosa, National Prize for Community Culture; Guillermo Castillo Ramírez, who has contributed from teaching to multiply knowledge related to the décima from an early age; and the musician Rolando Portillo, who has been involved in the art world for almost 50 years.
Excited, these and other attendees smiled and took photos, leaving a graphic record of the beautiful experience, a reward for their perseverance.
The beautiful chords of the master concert artist Félix Ramos and the Creole melodies of the Entre Notas trio enlivened the moment.
