Raúl Morales García

Cuban writer with an extensive body of work (Trees Without Roots, A Dove for Graciela, The Best Fruit). He writes Museum Pieces (UNEAC Prize, 1969), and The Son of Arturo Estévez (UNEAC Prize, 1974), his best work, in which he addresses the problems of the province in the struggle against bandits. Casa de las Américas Prize for short story in 1962 and for testimonial in 1975.

Throughout his life he adopts the name of his birthplace Cascorro as his second surname and from then on becomes known as Raúl González de Cascorro, the public library of the locality bears the name of this distinguished writer, playwright, poet and pedagogue.

He was born in Cascorro, Camagüey. He graduated in Pedagogy from the University of Havana.

He completed his primary studies at Public School #42 of Cascorro until reaching the 4th grade, distinguishing himself from childhood through contributions to children's pages of national magazines and newspapers. When his father died in 1936 he began working in the grocery store owned by his family; he was only 14 years old. His time in Cascorro and the contact he had as a child and adolescent with peasants allowed him to know firsthand the exploitation to which they were subjected; from this emerged his first characters and themes.

In 1939 he moved to Camagüey to continue his studies, entering the Professional School of Commerce. In 1942 he began working in the Railroad Offices. A year later he graduated as an Accountant and was selected as the best duo singer of the Camagüeyana Radio Network. He later studied through distance education at the Faculty of Education of the University of Havana, graduating as a Doctor of Pedagogy and began studying Commercial Sciences at the same university, a career he left incomplete in his final year, when the Revolution triumphed and new paths aligned with his vocation were offered to him. He taught Martí cycles as his own initiative at the Professional School of Commerce with the objective of making known Martí's political and revolutionary ideas.

On September 5, 1954 he married Genma Rodríguez, from whom eight children were born.

In 1952 he receives the national Hernández Catá prize for his short story "The Chain". In 1954 he wins the prize from the newspaper El Nacional, of Mexico, for his short story "One Cent Only". He obtains in 1962 the Casa de las Américas Prize for his book of short stories People of Playa Girón and in 1975 for his testimonial Here We Talk of Combatants and Bandits. Among his novels are Breaking the Night and Public Concentration.

During his fruitful life he held various responsibilities, standing out his work as a pedagogue in the primary teacher school, in the Chair of Geography, Physics and Methodology as well as supervisor of Basic and Private Secondary Schools in Camagüey, Vertiente and Guáimaro. He was founder in the province of the School of Pedagogical Improvement where he worked as Professor of Social Studies, was responsible technician during the Literacy Campaign and active collaborator in Worker Development.

He directed several plans of Education and Culture in the Province of Camagüey, both in the Provincial Education Office, and later in the Provincial Delegation of UNEAC, remaining part of it until his death.

He is perhaps the most published and prize-winning Cuban writer in national and international contests, very well known for his works in Theater, Testimonial and Short Stories, although he also published a book of poetry.

Recognitions

1956- He obtained Honorable Mention from the Theater Patronage with the work Villa Feliz in the Luís de Soto competition.
He conducted a reading and talk about his work at the Nuestro Tiempo Cultural Society, invited by Harold Gramatges
He directs a new literary-artistic group, "New Times"
1958- Premiered at the Colegio Mayor Hispano Americano Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe of the University of Madrid, his theatrical work Park Bar during Cuban Theater Week
Honorable mention in the Luís de Soto theatrical competition of the Theater Patronage with the work Trees Without Roots
1961- Appointed Teaching Secretary of the Primary Teacher School and supervisor of basic and private secondary schools in Camagüey, Vertiente and Guáimaro.
Participated in the 1st Congress of Writers and Artists of Cuba
1963- He was appointed Jury member for Short Story in the IV Hispanic American Literary Competition of Casa de las Américas.
1964- He was guide professor of the Institute of Educational Improvement in the subject of Geography.
First journalism prize called by the Municipal JUCEI with the article Promise in Our Days.
Elected National Vanguard of the Institute of Educational Improvement
1965- He visits the German Democratic Republic on research trips taking experience that were later applied in the teaching of Geography in Camagüey
1966- Elected provincial vanguard
First prize level A in the competition called as a salute to the V Amateur Festival with his work "Solitude is Bad Company" and first prize level B with "The Doctor Returns"
1967- He moved to work in the Provincial Education Office of Camagüey
He created the only literary and visual magazine produced by children in our country "My Magazine"
1969- First prize in theater José Antonio Ramos in the UNEAC literature competition with Museum Piece
1970- He joined the ranks of the PCC
1974- Special theater prize "The Golden Age Competition" with Let's Talk About The Major
He was selected as alternate member of the Provincial Committee of the PCC
1975- He made a visit in cultural exchange in Czechoslovakia, Soviet Union, Bulgaria and Romania
1976- Selected as special guest at the National Plenary of the Ministry of Culture
XX Anniversary Medal of the Moncada
1978- He was part of the National Committee of UNEAC
1983- Recognition Diploma for his status as outstanding in MTT activities
1983- He participated in the II Forum of Literature
Many of his books have been translated into other languages. Among all, the most remembered are:
Here We Talk of Combatants and Bandits
Headless Riders
Farewell to the Wolf Dog
Ambush and Massacre at Pino 3
History of Brigade Members
Museum Pieces
People of Playa Girón
Five Hundredth Anniversary
He visited Cascorro on several occasions, where he was given an emotional tribute for his merits. Also in Guáimaro his works were adapted and he received praise from the people.

He was a loving father and husband, lived an intense life alongside the Revolution, and died suddenly on March 7, 1995. In tribute to his memory the Public Library of Cascorro and Literary Workshop bears his name.