Seventy four Cuban musicians and cultural promoters have been awarded the National Culture Order by some of the nation’s high dignitaries.

Presided over by Cuban First Vice-President, Miguel Díaz-Canel; Culture Minister, Abel Prieto and Cuban Writers and Artists Association President, Miguel Barnet, the ceremony took place on Wednesday evening at the José Martí Memorial in Havana’s Revolution Square. Thanking the Council of State for the order, renowned sax player and composer, César López, expressed his gratitude to the Cuban Revolution and the late historical leader, Fidel Castro, for their work to defend and promote the best values of the island’s culture.

National Music Museum Director and musicologist, Jesús Gómez, said that the awarded musicians and promoters have stood out for their artistic results and their commitment to the most cherished values of Cuban arts and culture. The list of awardees include Fernando Dewar, Samuel Formell, Harold López-Nussa, Luna Manzanares, Alexander Abreu, Raúl Torres, X Alfonso, Israel Rojas, Oliver Valdés, Roberto Fonseca, Bárbara Llanes, María Victoria Rodríguez, Aldo López Gavilán, Eduardo Sosa, Héctor Gutiérrez, Emiliano Sardiñas, Juanito Camacho, Ramón Espigul, Gloria Torres, Ana María Rabasa and José Miguel Mena, among others.

The seventy four musicians and promoters represent different music genre, such as “trova”, lyrical theater, popular and folk dance music, jazz, concert and choir music, rock, rap, musicology and other specialties.