National Order "José Martí" Awarded to Doctor Graziella Pogolotti

March 25, 2021

Shortly before reaching her nine decades of life and constant dedication to Cuban culture, the essayist, art critic, cultural promoter and prominent intellectual Graciella Pogolotti, received on this March 24th, from the hands of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, the José Martí Order, in recognition of her magnificent contributions to the culture of our country.

The Palace of the Revolution was the setting for the presentation of such a high distinction granted by the Council of State to Cuban citizens, foreigners and heads of State or Government, for great deeds in favor of peace and humanity, for valuable and extraordinary contributions in education, culture, sciences and sports, as well as for outstanding merits in creative work.

The ceremony highlighted her extensive essay work, which makes her an intellectual who transcends our borders. In the words of the president of Casa de las Américas Abel Prieto, "(…) A very special Cuban woman is being honored. An essential figure for Cuban culture(…)". Graciella Pogolotti, for her part, thanked this recognition, and stressed that the decoration is an honor that overwhelms and commits her.

The José Martí Order recognizes on this occasion an intellectual of high prestige in the Cuban cultural panorama, who through her dedication and perseverance achieves universal reach, a woman of high principles of dignity and great attachment to the main social and cultural processes of our country.

Founder of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) and one of its most illustrious members of that organization, she has also headed the Alejo Carpentier Foundation, promoting research and deepening knowledge of the work of the celebrated intellectual.

Deserving of many of the highest recognitions and distinctions of our country, such as the National Prize for Art Criticism, the National Prize for Artistic Teaching, or the National Prize for Literature or the Prize for Dignity; the José Martí Order reaffirms the great value of an intellectual like Graciella Pogolotti, who at her nearly ninety years continues discovering new cultural paths and roads through her magnificent gift of the word.