French historian Paul Estrade received José Martí Award

Havana, Jan 25 (RHC) French historian Paul Estrade received the José Martí International Prize, awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) to outstanding world personalities.

During the inauguration of the V International Conference for the Balance of the World, Gabriela Ramos, UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, informed that for the first time, the award is given to a figure from another continent, in this case, as a result of the meritorious work of the French intellectual in the defense and preservation of the Latin American identity.

At Havana's Convention Palace, the ceremony highlighted Estrade's prolific career in the rescue of the region's cultural traditions and historical values, in line with the ideas and values defended by José Martí, Cuba's National Hero.

Health situations prevented the historian from traveling to Cuba, however, through a video he showed his joy and thanked the important support he received over the years to continue with his work, as they have all contributed to the dissemination of Marti's ideas in new spaces and among new generations, he said.

The French scholar recalled the people and institutions that have helped him from the Island, such as the founders of the Center for Martí Studies, the colleagues of the University of Havana, and the History Academy.

We can be guided by Martí's example, not as a prophet, but as a spirit that unites and spurs consciences, she stressed, while delving into the transcendence of the V International Conference for the Balance of the World, which brings together 1,100 participants from 88 countries.

UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences presented the Estrade Prize to Olivier Giron, Counselor of the French Embassy in Cuba.

Before the professor emeritus of the University of Paris, the UNESCO International José Martí Prize was awarded to Roberto Fernández Retamar (Cuba, 2019), Frei Betto (Brazil, 2013), Hugo Chávez (Venezuela, 2005) and Pablo González Casanova (Mexico, 2003), among other personalities. (Source: ACN)