Roberto Fernandez Retamar

Roberto Fernández Retamar (Cuba) is laureate of the 2019 International UNESCO/José Martí Prize. He was chosen by an international jury of experts in recognition of his advocacy work for justice, the rights of children, ethical values, the dignity of each man and woman and the fight against racism.

Roberto Fernández Retamar was a Cuban poet, essayist, literary critic and President of Casa de las Américas*. His life was dedicated to the study, teaching and dissemination of the works of José Martí, at the University and at the ‘Centro de Estudios Martianos” he founded, through his books and the José Martí Chairs that he helped establish. He was awarded Cuba’s most prestigious literary award, the National Prize for Literature in 1989.

UNESCO Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, named Fernández Retamar on the recommendation of an international jury of experts