Roberto Fernández Retamar, renowned poet, essayist and cultural promoter, was awarded in 1989 the National Prize for Literature, for the fecundity of his work.
A dialogue with the President of Casa de las Américas in 2016 is presented next.
CH: It is a high honor for Radio Cadena Habana, given the diverse functions that occupy the precious time of this unparalleled Cuban. It is almost impossible to think of his life outside of that cultural institution, because memory always gives him eternal images:
"The most significant of Casa de las Américas is Haydee Santamaría, our eternal guerrilla, founder of the institution. She was and still is the soul of the House. She is always there with us, in every decision, in every project. She was a marvel and a privilege for me to work for 15 years under her leadership. "
CH: How much does Casa de las Américas bring to the intellectual and to the man who is Roberto Fernández Retamar?
"I started working there very early, in 1959, but I was appointed diplomat in France by Foreign Minister Raúl Roa, I fulfilled that task and did not return to the House until 1965, when I started directing the Installation Magazine. As you will realize in my 81 years, most of my life I have dedicated to Casa de las Américas."
CH: How do you value the current reception of the Casa de las Américas Literary Prize in the new generations of Latin Americans?
"It is revealing that 57 years after it was created, the number of participants is increasing, each day it is strengthened and it acquires a great deal of sympathy among the new writers of the very well-named José Martí: Nuestra América".
CH: Despite his multiple governmental responsibilities, Retamar is passionate about literature. That is why we managed to approach the beginnings as a poet and his grave and safe voice impacts us as much as his excellent memory:
"Now it is 66 years since my first poetry booklet Elegy as a hymn was published, dedicated to Rubén Martínez Villena, extraordinary figure of our history, our politics, our literature, our life".
"That first poem is my favorite; thanks to him I was considered a poet. In my house there were portraits of Rubén Martínez Villena, Antonio Guiteras and Julio Antonio Mella, young artists of this revolutionary stage, essential of Cuban history and, therefore, of my life ".
Roberto Fernández Retamar thanked us for this dialogue, just as Radio Cadena Habana feels privileged for this interview with an essential intellectual in Cuba and Latin America, to whom we wish him many years of health so that he will continue radiating wisdom.
Renowned Cuban intellectual Roberto Fernández Retamar passed away this Saturday July 20 in Havana. Cuba and Latin America will always remember him for his work in favor of the unity of Our America.
Radio Cadena Habana pays homage to the former president of Casa de las Américas with the publication of an interview made by journalist Katia Camejo Montpeller in 2016.
Translated by Susel Esquivel
