Celebration in Ottawa of Cuban National Culture Day
On October 30, the Embassy of Cuba in Canada
invited Cuban
residents, representatives of the Canadian government, members of
the diplomatic corps and solidarity groups to a celebration of Cuban
National Culture Day, which this year was dedicated
especially to the 500th anniversary of the founding of the city
of Havana.
 At the gathering,
Professor Emeritus of the
University of
Toronto Keith Ellis was awarded the Haydée
Santamaría Medal by
the Councils of State of the Republic of Cuba, for his
outstanding contributions to Latin American and Caribbean
literature. Ellis is the author of numerous books and essays who
also has the great merit of having translated and made available
to the English-speaking public the work of the Cuban
National Poet Nicolás Guillén, and the Free
Verses of the National Hero of
Cuba, José Martí.
In her words, the Ambassador of Cuba to Canada,
Josefina
Vidal, acknowledged the invaluable work of Professor Ellis and
referred to the establishment of October 20 as Cuban
National Culture Day and the 500th anniversary of Havana.
Those present had the opportunity to enjoy several
musical
pieces interpreted by the Cuban pianist Miguel de Armas and by
the young violin student Amanda Moreno. They could
appreciate the photo exhibition "Habaneros" of
photographer John Pinel, who was present for the occasion. The
exhibition "Havana" by Uruguayan
photographers Albino Moldes and Marcelo Romano was on display as well.
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