Outstanding Personalities, Institutions from Cuba Get the 2013 Excelencias Awards

A grand total of fourteen boldface names and institutions with outstanding contributions in the sciences, culture, tourism and international relations, as well as entrepreneurial management linked to Cuba travel, received the 2013 Excelencias Awards.

Founded in 2005 by the Excelencias Group, the Excelencias Awards recognize all major achievements of the nominees, on the basis of their dedication to their professions or the social repercussion of the companies. The honorable distinctions will be handed out Friday during a ceremony sponsored by the Excelencias Group President, Mr. Jose Carlos de Santiago, at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Havana.

The list below shows the names of the personalities and institutions that won the 2013 Excelencias Awards:

Dr. Eduardo Torres Cuevas

For his valuable contributions and commitment to the research, comprehension and promotion of the homeland history from a contemporary view, coupled with the leadership of such prestigious institutions as the Cuban History Academy and the National Library of Cuba.

International Chef Jorge Luis Mendez

For his contribution, from his professional, intellectual and teaching work, to the formation of new generations of gastronomes and his support to Cuba’s culinary traditions.   

Abraham Maciques Maciques

For his teaching skills, professionalism, quality and dedication in the formation of several generations of Cubans, as well as the development and strengthening of the country’s corporate sector.

His Excellency Sr. D.Juan Francisco Montalbán Carrasco

For a thirty-year diplomatic career in which he has contributed to the advance of cooperation and economic policies and actions from his different positions, as well as to the strengthening of political, commercial and cultural relations with Latin American nations.

Grupo Empresarial Palco

For its undisputed leadership in the planning of events, congress and conventions in Cuba, and his dedicated efforts in spreading the excellence of the country worldwide.

Federation of Culinary Associations of the Republic of Cuba

For supporting for over thirty years the advance of culinary culture in the Cuban population and the formation of thousands of chefs, cooks and gastronomes that today carry the burden of the island nation’s travel and tourism services.

Dr. Agustín Lage Dávila

For his dedication to the advance of sciences in Cuba and for other achievements in the Center for Molecular Immunology, heading a highly competitive team that has reaped major outcomes in the battle against different diseases, especially cancer.

National Museum of Fine Arts

For having witnessed the evolution of the arts in the country and elsewhere by treasuring thousands of priceless artworks, as well as its contribution in the research, conservation and restoration of Cuba’s artistic heritage by safeguarding the island nation’s identity.

Gaviota S.A.

For its sustained ability in managing environment-friendly travel and tourism, the enjoyment of the country’s natural environments, and Cuba’s culture, heritage and identity.

Flora y Fauna

For its tireless effort in the protection and safeguarding of Cuba’s wildlife and flora; the encouragement of tourism-oriented, cultural and recreational actions, and the effective management of Cuba’s top ecosystems, all of them marked by exclusivity, good preservation and great biodiversity.

Network of Cuban Heritage City Historian and Curator Offices

For fostering the exchange and spread of knowledge and expertise in urban rehabilitation and heritage recovery for the sake of safeguarding Cuba’s living and historic heritage, with a close approach to local communities as the main caretakers, promoters and stakeholders of that preservation endeavor. 

Cubatur S.A.

For being the country’s first travel agency, with sustained exclusivity and quality in terms of services, as well as professional and safe management of travel destination Cuba.

Dr. Reynaldo González Zamora

For his indispensable contribution to the national identity through essays, testimonials and novels of amazing prose and thorough historic and cultural research teeming with Cuban roguishness and mastery of the Spanish language.

Dr. Roberto Fernández Retamar

For his enthralling poetry and essays that rank among the finest in the Spanish-speaking world; for his passion for universal art and literature, let alone his actions as a cultural promoter of deep Cuban roots.