Cuban President Confers National Medal Of Honour On Nigerian Literary Icon, Wole Soyinka

The Government of Cuba has awarded the world-famous and revered Nigerian Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, a national medal of honour.

The national honour was presented to Wole Soyinka last Thursday at Casa de las Americas the Haydee Santamaria Medal by Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic of Cuba.

This was disclosed in a post shared on X by Miguel, saying: “It is an honor to award Wole Soyinka the Haydee Santamaría Medal at our Casa de las Américas.

“We thanked him for this visit to #Cuba, where he is considered a brother in the fight for just causes. As Jorge Fornet said there, awarding him the medal is an act of justice.”

The award was given on behalf of Cuba and at the proposal of the Minister of Culture.

It was learned that the President held a meeting with Soyinka, where he thanked him for his visit in such a complex moment for Cuba.

“It is the visit of a brother who has always been fighting for the most just causes,” the president noted.

Born in 1934, the distinguished Nigerian literary icon, Wole Soyinka, initiated his illustrious writing career within the vibrant cultural landscape of his homeland, progressively garnering unparalleled international recognition and acclaim.

Throughout his remarkable body of work, exemplified by masterpieces such as the thought-provoking "A Dance of the Forests" (1966) and the critically acclaimed "Death and the King's Horseman" (1975), Soyinka has astutely explored an array of profound themes, including the intricate dynamics between tradition and modernity, the complexities inherent to human existence, and the indefatigable struggle for justice and human dignity.

Soyinka's remarkable literary contributions earned him the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986, solidifying his stature as a literary giant.

His works, characterized by poignant insight and powerful storytelling, have resonated profoundly with audiences worldwide, addressing pressing concerns related to oppression, social justice, and the unwavering pursuit of human rights.

In a testament to his enduring legacy, The Royal Academy of Morocco recently honored Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka on the momentous occasion of his 90th birthday.

This grand celebration, organized in collaboration with the esteemed Pan African Writers Association (PAWA), served as a fitting tribute to Soyinka's extraordinary achievements, acknowledging his indispensable impact on both African and global literary landscapes.