Havana, Cuba – August 23, 2024 – Renowned Nigerian Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has been conferred with the prestigious Haydee Santamaria Medal by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.
While receiving the honour at the Casa de las Americas in Havana, Soyinka proudly declared that Yoruba culture, originating from Southern Nigeria, has a global presence.
The esteemed writer and intellectual was recognized for his contributions to literature and cultural exchange between Cuba and Africa.
In a statement, Diaz-Canel said Soyinka’s visit to the country is “very significant, it is the visit of a brother who has always fought for just causes”.
But reacting to the honour, Soyinka opined: “Our ties with Cuba are not limited to art and literature, but also to liberation.
“I grew up listening to Cuban music, in those days when there were gramophones, when there was no electricity.
“This has been a wonderful way to bring me back and remind me that Cuba is also my home. And it is proof that Yoruba is everywhere here, and that completes the spiritual aspect of people like me.”
Soyinka’s statement highlights the far-reaching impact of Yoruba culture, which has spread beyond Nigeria’s borders to touch lives worldwide.
