Raquel Carrió Ibietatorremendía Awarded the 2024 National Theater Prize

January 23, 2024

In an emotional post on his Facebook profile, Omar Valiño, a renowned Cuban theater critic, expressed his pride and emotion in announcing that Professor Raquel Carrió Ibietatorremendía has been selected as the winner of the 2024 National Theater Prize. Valiño, who is part of the jury responsible for making the decision, spared no praise for the distinguished professional.

Raquel Carrió Ibietatorremendía is a Dr. C. Associate Professor of Dramaturgy and a fundamental figure in the training of new generations of theater artists in Cuba. In addition to being a recognized playwright and essayist, she obtained her degree in Philology from the University of La Habana. Her contribution to the Cuban theater world has been invaluable.

Among her most notable achievements, Carrió Ibietatorremendía is the founder of the Faculty of Performing Arts at the University of Artes de La Habana and of the International School of Theater of Latin America and the Caribbean (EITALC). She has also served as an instructor at the International Film School and has been an associate professor at the ISA (Instituto Superior de Arte), as well as an advisor to the renowned Teatro Buendía since its founding.

The trajectory of Raquel Carrió Ibietatorremendía has been recognized with numerous awards and distinctions throughout her career. Her essays and studies, such as "Contemporary Cuban Dramaturgy" and "Recovering the Memory of Fire," have been widely praised. Furthermore, she has shared her knowledge through lectures, workshops, and seminars at various universities and cultural institutions in Latin America, Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

She stands out not only for her academic and teaching work, but also for her participation as a researcher in the sessions of the International School of Theatrical Anthropology (ISTA) under the direction of Eugenio Barba.

The jury in charge of awarding the 2024 National Theater Prize was made up of prominent figures in the Cuban theater field, such as Fátima De La Caridad Patterson Patterson, Carlos Pérez Peña, Carlos Díaz, Kikin Kiñones, and Omar Valiño himself. Their unanimous choice of Raquel Carrió Ibietatorremendía as winner highlights the importance and impact of her work on the Cuban theater scene.

With this well-deserved recognition, Raquel Carrió Ibietatorremendía solidifies herself as an indispensable figure in the development and promotion of theater in Cuba. Her dedication and excellence have left an indelible mark on the theater world, and her legacy continues to inspire future generations of Cuban artists.