By Javier Rodríguez | Prensa Latina

Eusebio Leal, Havana’s City Historian, emotionally received the news here that he has been awarded an Ibero-American prize for the restoration of Old Havana.

Leal was notified of the honor during a tribute yesterday at the Casa Lamm cultural center, where a documentary by Mexican Alejandra Ochoa was shown along with an exhibition of photographs by Spaniard Silvia Martínez dedicated to Leal’s life and work.

Speaking to Prensa Latina, Leal said it was very important that the jury of the Queen Sofía of Spain Prize voted unanimously in favor of the award, which is of notable weight on the Latin American and world scale.

This is a prize awarded annually for the rehabilitation and restoration of historic centers and Leal explained that the most significant aspect is the jury’s decision based on the social undertaking constituted by that revitalization of Old Havana.

He observed that the Queen of Spain has very pleasant memories of the Cuban capital and that, in his view, when he goes there to receive the prize, it would be a good opportunity to talk once again on the eternal theme that is Cuba, in the heart of the Spanish people.

Asked about the tribute to him in Mexico he stated that Casa Lamm is a cultural body with a very honorable position in relation to Cuba.

It has been an open space for Cuba in very difficult times, a center of refinement and art, “and my presence has intentionally coincided with the constitution yesterday of the Friendship with Cuba Group in the Mexican Chamber of Deputies,” he added.

Finally, he affirmed that the tribute is really to the people of Old Havana and the entire city of Havana, whose lovely profile is merely demonstrated through him.

Speaking at the tribute, Claudia Hero, director of the Casa Lamm, highlighted the ethical posture of Leal, in whom efficiency and social awareness are joined together.

Translated by Granma International