From the very beginning of its foundation, on August 22nd, 1961, the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC, by its acronym in Spanish), became one of the most important social organizations with artistic and cultural purposes in the country.
Although, arising in the heat of the First Congress of Cuban Writers and Artists, held in August 1961, one cannot speak of its birth without referring to the meetings that Fidel held with writers and artists in June 1961.
Since its foundation it was presided over by the national poet. With a significant presence in the provinces of the country, it is made up of five National Associations: Writers, Audiovisual Media and Radio, Plastic Artists, Music and Performing Arts.
Join the organization
Writers and artists who have solid work from a conceptual and aesthetic point of view join the organization; which have also demonstrated ethical and humanistic values based on the principles of voluntariness and selectivity.
Distinctions and awards
It confers distinctions such as the status of Member of Merit, Majadahonda Distinction, and the Nicolás Guillén Diploma. It also grants a group of International Prizes destined to recognize those foreign writers and artists with outstanding intellectual and artistic merits who have maintained solid ties with the Cuban culture and people, among which are the prizes: “Raquel Revuelta”, of Theater ; “Dora Alonso”, for Children’s Literature; “Sweet María Loynaz”, of Literature; “René Portocarrero” Award, for Plastic; “Josefina Méndez”, for Dance; “Tomás Gutiérrez Alea”, of Cinema; “Miguel Matamoros”, of Popular Music; “Harold Gramatges”, for Concert Music; “Sol Pinelli”, from Radio; “Alberto Korda”, of Photography; “Enrique Santiesteban”, for Acting on Television; “Amaury Pérez”, from Television Direction.
Events
From the organization, events, colloquiums and festivals are celebrated and sponsored, such as: Danzón Festival, Bolero Festival, Cuban Magic Festival, Colloquium on studies of Cuban Musical Culture, among others.
The Congress of the organization is held every five years and its call must be approved by the National Council, at the proposal of the presidency.
Publishers and magazines
Currently, it is made up of three publishers and five magazines: Unión, La Gaceta de Cuba, Cauce, Caserón, Revista de Música and La Paloma de vuelo popular. Specifically, Unión magazine was created in 1962 by Nicolás Guillén, Alejo Carpentier, Roberto Fernández Retamar and José Rodríguez Feo. It is the oldest among those devoted to Cuban writers.
Fidel and the UNEAC
Fidel’s relationship with UNEAC was systematic and intense for several decades. As Elier Ramírez Cañedo rightly states, the dialogue he established with writers and artists was constant, in order to promote the democratization of culture throughout the island’s social body.
Conclusions
The National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) houses within its ranks the best of the Cuban intelligentsia and artistic avant-garde. Its goal remains the same, to save the country through culture.
Bibliography
Cantón Navarro, José C. y Arnaldo Silva León. Historia de Cuba (1959-1999). Liberación nacional y socialismo. Editorial Pueblo y Educación. La Habana, 2009.
Ramírez Cañedo, Elier. Fidel y la UNEAC. www.cubadebate.cu.30 de junio del 2019.
Reglamento de la Unión de escritores y Artistas de Cuba
Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García
