The National Literature Award for 2014 has been presented to outstanding Cuban intellectual, writer and pedagogue, Eduardo Heras at the Cuban Book Fair currently underway in Havana.

Heras is known on the island as one of Cuba’s best short story writers and a writer who has made a great contribution to the training of the new generations of narrators. The ceremony was attended by Cuban Culture Minister, Julián González, presidential aide, Abel Prieto and the President of the Cuban Writers and Artists Association, Miguel Barnet.

Jury member and writer, Waldo Leyva, explained how complicated the selection process was because any of the nominees could have been granted the award for the work of his or her entire literary life. Other jury members included writers César López, Luisa Campuzano, Roberto Méndez and Guillermo Rodríguez Rivera. The prize recognizes the work of the Cuban writer which also includes editing, philology and journalism.

The Cuban intellectual, who was also presented with the National Editing Award for 2001, has written book and dance reviews in several Cuban and foreign publications and is the author of volumes, such as La guerra tuvo seis nombres (War had six names), Los pasos en la hierba (Steps in the grass), Acero (Steel), Cuestión de principio (A Matter of Principles) and A fuego limpio (On Fire). Some of his short stories have been taken to films.

Héras León, nicknamed "El chino", has been directing the Onelio Jorge Cardoso Literary Training Center which has graduated 900 young writers since its establishment in 1998. Heras León is also the first vice-president of the Cuban Writers and Artists Association, UNEAC, has represented Cuba in international events such as book fairs, congresses, international meetings of writers and delivered lectures and taught master classes in nearly 20 countries.