The commitment, the professionalism and the unconditional surrender in pursuit of transcending outcomes were recognized with the presentation of the Excelencias Cuba 2016 Awards, which honor important figures and institutions of the island and pursue the objective of promoting excellence in areas related to tourism, culture, gastronomy and society.
The Mella Theater of the Cuban capital was the scene of a special gala in which diverse boldface names, institutions and outstanding projects were recognized, showing the rich cultural fusion characteristic of the culture of the Greater Antilles.
The meeting also had a special significance for the sixth edition of the Excelencias Cuba Awards, which happen together with the beginning of celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the Excelencias magazine and the Excelencias Group, created in 1997 at the Fiesta del Fuego and Caribbean Festival in Santiago de Cuba.
As usual, the keynote speech at the awards ceremony were given by José Carlos de Santiago, President of the Excelencias Group, although this time around his intervention occurred from a distance, and was conveyed through his daughter, Verónica de Santiago , Director of the Excelencias Group Madrid Office.
“This is the first time I address you from the distance. With these brief words, I would first like to apologize for not being here among you, but a surgery has not allowed me to do so. There is a magic phrase that I learned upon my arrival in Cuba, something I didn’t come to grips with at the onset: If there’s an evil wind that blows, no one any good. But, little by little I was learning to understand it as it conveys a very important part of reality. You just have to stand on the positive side of it and apply the means within our power to make it happen. I would have liked to be there right now with you, sharing this moment with all of you, but this year 2017 will have far more chances in store for us to do so. At this moment, I would like to send you one big hug. You all are the reason why the Excelencias Group does exist," said Veronica de Santiago as she read Mr. José Carlos de Santiago’s remarks.
The statues given to the winners, made by artist Pauyet, were made with antique alpaca cutlery, showing that "the useful can also be beautiful". The Cultural segment of the gala was in charge of the Sonando en Cuba Cultural Project, managed and directed by singer Paulito FG, with a repertoire of anthological Cuban music songs and more contemporary tunes.
EXCELENCIAS TURISTICAS AWARDS
IBEROSTAR HOTELS & RESORTS
FOR ITS UNINTERRUPTED WORK FOR MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS TO IMPULSE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CUBAN TOURISM INDUSTRY
IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, has more than 100 hotels in 16 countries around the world, and of them almost thirty located in the Caribbean. Present in Cuba since 1993, it is among the first foreign companies to bet on the development of Cuban tourism, and currently operate successfully in the country 13 facilities, and plans to incorporate others in the coming years. Iberostar Hotels & Resorts has been an example and inspiration for the Cuban hotel industry during its more than twenty years of uninterrupted work to boost the development of the national tourism industry.
NH CAPRI HOTEL
FOR ITS POSITIONING WORK AS ONE OF THE EMBLEMATIC HOTELS OF HOTELS IN HAVANA
Since its opening in December 2013, the NH Capri Hotel has quickly gained the preference of guests and clients of the tourist market, as well as attracting the attention and the approval of all the authorities of the sector. This has made possible that in 2016 the NH Capri has obtained important national and international recognition, placing this landmark hotel in Havana as one of the most preferred among tourists visiting the city.
HOLGUIN STRATEGIC PLAN
FOR POTENTIATING THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE COMMUNITY WITH ITS HERITAGE, AND RESCUING THE ATTRACTIVE OF THE CITY AS A TOURIST DESTINATION
Promoted, through a Management Group, by the Provincial Government, the Territorial Delegation of MINTUR, UNAICC, Physical Planning, Culture, University of Holguin, Patrimony and Uneac, among other organisms; The Strategic Plan 'Holguin City Park of Cuba' has managed to strengthen the relationship of children and the community with its heritage, cultural identity and local development, as well as rescue the image of the city and enhance its attractiveness as a tourist destination, Rescuing with emblematic aesthetic values ??and useful establishments and parks of one of the most beautiful cities of Cuba.
OLD HAVANA RESTORATION MASTER PLAN
FOR ITS SUPPORT TO THE CONSERVATION, RECOVERY AND INTEGRAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES OF OLD HAVANA
The Master Plan was created in 1994, within the structure of the Office of the Historian, and brings together as a project institutions and specialists with several years of work in the territory, who are responsible for dictating comprehensive development policies in the Priority Zone for The Conservation (ZPC) of Old Havana, from the design and monitoring of planning, management and control instruments.
EXCELENCIAS GOURMET AWARDS
MUSEUM OF THE TOBACCO AND ITS DIRECTOR ZOE NOCEDO PRIMO
An important institution that treasures the cultural heritage related to the world of Habano, the Tabaco Museum and its director Zoe Nocedo Primo have contributed decisively to the diffusion of Cuban tobacco culture through courses, diplomas and symposiums for specialists and lovers of The Habanos of Cuba and the whole world.
ATELIER RESTAURANT AND ITS CREATOR NIURIS ISABEL HIQUERAS MARTÍNEZ
FOR ITS REINTERPRETATION WORK OF CUBAN CULINARY TRADITIONS AND ITS SUPPORT FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
She creates with her family a peculiar restaurant, Atelier, where they have tried to reinterpret the traditional Cuban recipes with a touch of contemporary gourmet, which enjoys a well-deserved international reputation; Niuris is also a young gastronomic entrepreneur who has been decisively involved in various projects to support other young Cuban entrepreneurs.
CUBA’S BARTENDER ASSOCIATION
FOR ITS IMPROVEMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE CUBAN COTTAGE AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
The Association of Cuban Bartenders (ACC) has developed a meritorious job in training and categorizing cocktail professionals in the country, as well as organizing regional, national and international cocktail events where Cuban bartenders show their training . Thanks in large measure to the work of the members of the ACC, the Cuban school of cocktails is today admired and respected by all member countries of the International Bartenders Association (IBA), and the Cuban bartender is a very beloved international figure and Valued, above all for their high theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
HAVANA CLUB INTERNATIONAL S.A.
FOR BEING AN ICONIC PRODUCT FROM CUBA, WITH SUSTAINED SALES GROWTHS AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL FOR MORE THAN 2O YEARS
Havana Club, Cuba's flagship rum brand, is undoubtedly one of the most emblematic and well-known Cuban products worldwide. Today it is exported to more than 120 countries around the world, excluding the United States, and is not only an icon of Cuba, but today it has become one of the fastest growing brands of spirits in the world, with more Of 20 years sustained of a strong annual growth of its sales. Havana Club is currently the third international rum brand in the world outside the United States and the world leader in super premium and superior rums.
LA CASA DEL HABANO PARTAGÁS
FOR INCENTIVATING THE HABANO CULTURE AND CONTRIBUTING TO GET TO KNOW THE WORLD A GENUINELY CUBAN PRODUCT
Emblematic House of the Habano, located in the old Tobacco Factory of the same name founded in 1845, was the first created in Cuba and is a must visit for the most important personalities who come to the island attracted by the passion for the Habanos. Since 1998, it has organized the Encounter of Clients and Friends of Partagás, which brings together more than 600 smokers from all over the world each year, helping to encourage the culture of Habano.
ARTE POR EXCELENCIAS AWARDS
CUBA ILUMINADA PROJECT AND ITS CREATOR HÉCTOR GARRIDO
FOR ITS SINGULAR PROFESSIONAL AND ARTISTIC VISION TOWARDS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT VALUES OF THE ISLAND OF CUBA: CULTURE
Enlightened Cuba has managed to capture through the lens of photographer Hector Garrido the fundamental faces of Cuban culture, thanks to a project of more than six years embodied in a book and an itinerant exhibition that includes a series of careful photographic portraits Made in first person to chosen personalities of the art, the culture, the science, the sport and the Cuban society, like a very special contribution to the diffusion and valorization of the culture of Cuba.
ENRIQUE PINEDA BARNET
FOR BEING AN INSPIRATOR OF MANY GENERATIONS OF CUBAN AND WORLD ARTISTS, WRITERS, THEATERS AND FILMMAKERS
Director and Screenwriter of Film and Video. Doctor in Letters. Writer. University professor. Journalist, Critic, Publicity and Announcer. Actor of theater, radio, television and cinema. Writer of theater, dance, ballet, poetry, novel, short stories, musical texts. He has taught classes, seminars, workshops and conferences in universities and cultural institutions in Latin America, the United States and Europe. Winner of more than a hundred international and national awards, including the important "Goya" Award from the Royal Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Spain, directed La Bella del Alambra, the first Cuban film preselected for the Oscars for Best Foreign film in 1990; Or to be awarded the National Film Prize in 2006. Enrique Pineda Barnet is one of the indispensable figures of Cuban national culture and has left its mark on hundreds of actors, scriptwriters, directors and artists in general throughout their fecund Professorial career
MICHEL MIRABAL, FINE ARTIST
FOR HIS WORK AS AN ARTIST AND THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS THAT HELPS SOCIETY WITH ITS COMMUNITY PROJECTS
A plastic artist of recognized international trajectory, his work is found in important galleries around the world, and is a symbol of the new generations of talented Cuban plastics. In 2016 he was awarded the Honorary Doctor Honoris Causa by the Anthropological University of Guadalajara for his work as an artist and the important contributions he makes to society through his Community Project in Alturas de Marbella, Guanabo, where Has inserted children from homes without shelter and the community to be interested and interact with the various artistic manifestations. Michel dedicates to these children a percentage of the profits generated by his work.
PAULITO FG AND THE SONANDO EN CUBA PROJECT
FOR ITS YOUNG ARTISTS TRAINING WORK AND ITS WORK AS A DEFENDER OF THE CUBAN MUSIC HERITAGE
Since his artistic debut in 1992, Paulito FG has taken his musical proposal to scenes from a score of countries, leading salsa stars in the world have versioned their songs, and has led most of the popularity surveys in Cuba. With the creation in 2015 of the Sonando en Cuba cultural project, which was spearheaded by a television musical series with a competitive character, Pablo FG as creator of the original idea ratifies his commitment as a great cultivator and defender of our musical heritage.
ARGELIA FRAGOSO
FOR ITS WORK IN PROOF OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE CUBAN SONG AND ITS TRAINING WORK BETWEEN YOUNG PEOPLE
One of the most important voices of the Cuban song, deserving of the Distinction for the National Culture, Algeria Fragoso is creator and President of the Foundation Voces Populares, based in Spain, and of the Encounter of Popular Voices, of Havana, through Of which he has summoned important international figures to visit Cuba for the first time and to offer his art to the Cuban public. It is also a decisive impeller of the knowledge of the Cuban song and universal, as well as its development among the young people.
CARLOS ACOSTA
FOR BEING AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOUNG PEOPLE CAN ACHIEVE WITH TALENT, CONSECRATION AND DISCIPLINE IN THE WORLD OF ART
Dancer, choreographer and director of the company that bears his name, Carlos Acosta is currently one of the emblematic figures of Cuban ballet. In order to reciprocate in his land what it has contributed to his career and his life, with the foundation of the Company Acosta Danza has proposed to merge two traditions on stage: academic ballet and modern dance, achieving in a very short time A contemporary ballet company with young Cuban talents, which is in itself an example of how much can be achieved with consecration and discipline in the artistic world.
EXCELENCIAS DEL MOTOR AWARDS
MCV COMERCIAL S.A.
FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION DURING OVER 20 YEARS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMY
Founded in 1995 as a joint venture, MCV Comercial SA has for more than twenty years marketed more than 26,000 equipment, including vehicles, aggregates, generators and applications, making a significant contribution to the development of different sectors of the economy, as well as to the Preparation of thousands of Cuban students, technicians and professionals.
CARIBBEAN NEWS DIGITAL SPECIAL AWARD
AMADEUS IT GROUP S.A. CUBA
FOR ITS SUPPORT WORK TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN CUBA AND THE TRAINING OF PROFESSIONALS IN THE SECTOR
Amadeus IT Group SA Cuba Affiliate is the world leader in the Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and Passenger Management Systems (PSS) market, and despite the restrictions of the US embargo. Has been able to modernize the way airplane and bus reservations are made in Cuba's travel agencies, in addition to contributing to the training in the country of more than 500 agents and travel agency officials, and supporting university education And postgraduate in the specialty of Tourism.
EXCELENCIAS AWARDS
JAVIER SOTOMAYOR
FOR ITS WORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CUBAN SPORT, ESPECIALLY BETWEEN CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
World champion in high jump, considered the best athlete in his specialty in history, Javier Sotomayor holds the world records both outdoors and indoor, plus an Olympic title, two world championships, four on indoor and three titles Pan-American, among many others. He is also an example and promoter of the practice of sports among children and young people.
ARTECORTE PROJECT AND THE BARBERS’ ALLEY
FOR ITS RESCUE WORK OF THE TRADITIONS OF THE CUBAN BARBERY AND HAIRDRESSER AND ITS IMPACT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMUNITY
Cuban hairdresser Gilberto Valladares (Papito) is responsible for one of the most interesting projects as a social rescue for Old Havana, with the name of Artecorte, located in the sui generis Callejón de los Barberos; Through which, since 1999, it has been able to establish a barbershop and hairdresser's school for young people in the area, and to promote a community social development area, which includes gastronomic spaces, parks, art spaces and a museum, for the sake of To develop urban tourism and to interweave it with the traditions and the development of the community.
YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS PROJECT & LA MONEDA PROJECT
FOR THEIR RESCUE WORK TO YOUNG PEOPLE UNDERWRITING FOR REINSTATING AS GASTRONOMIC ENTREPRENEURS
The La Moneda Cubana Project since its founding in 2011 in a small neighborhood of the Popular Council of the Cathedral, Old Havana, has managed to rescue dozens of young people who are not related to study and work, in order to offer courses in gastronomy that they will later In practice in restaurants in the city. In addition to courses on gastronomic techniques and on-the-job training, young people also receive a general culture preparation, languages ??and other subjects that will help them become entrepreneurs, with the support of institutions such as the Federation of Culinary Associations of the Republic of Cuba, the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana, the Department of Heritage and Formatur.
MINISTRY OF TOURISM OF CUBA
FOR THE GROWTH SUSTAINED IN THE LAST YEARS IN THE ARRIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS TO CUBA
Thanks to a sustained effort of international dissemination and work to raise the quality of its products by the Ministry of Tourism, Cuba reached the record number of four million foreign tourists in 2016, 6% above the 3.7 million mark Expected visitors. The arrival of tourists to Cuba in 2016 experienced an increase of 13 percentage points compared to 2015, with North America and Europe the regions that contributed most to the result, although countries from other continents also reported significant increases in the emission of travelers to the island.
COMERCIALIZADORA DE SERVICIOS MÉDICOS CUBANOS, S.A.
FOR YOUR EXPERIENCE AND CONTINUOUS ADVANCE IN MEDICINE AND MEDICAL SERVICES
The company Comercializadora de Servicios Médicos Cubanos, SA has a vast experience from the scientific, technical and professional point of view in the field of health. It has been outstanding for designing and managing a wide range of medical services programs, both in curative medicine and quality of life, in the international market, which have made Cuba a reference destination in the Americas region.
SPECIAL 20th ANNIVERSARY AWARD
OSMANY CIENFUEGOS GORRIARÁN
FOR ITS SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN CUBA AND FOR BEING SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR THE CREATION OF THE MAGAZINE EXCELENCIAS IN 1997
A key driver of tourism development in Cuba, Osmany Cienfuegos Gorriarán was one of the main inspirers of the creation twenty years ago of the Excellency Tourism Magazine of the Caribbean and the Americas, a leading editorial product of the Excelencias Group, which is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year. After a fruitful work as a leader, occupying various ministerial portfolios and positions in the Cuban government from a very young age, Osmany Cienfuegos has devoted himself to the development of the Las Terrazas Complex, a rural tourism community, which today is an example of sustainable tourism and social development and Harmony with the environment.
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