London, 31 October 2024. British academics from the Nottingham University Parvathi Kumaraswami and Antoni Kapcia, who study and disseminate Cuba's historical and cultural memory, were awarded Cuba’s Distinction for National Culture at the 30th edition of the Fiesta de la Cubanía in Bayamo, in the province of Granma. Their outstanding contribution to the promotion and preservation of Cuban history and culture was, therefore, recognized. The prestigious award underscores the value of years of dedication to the study of Cuba and their contribution to the dissemination of our national values in the international academic field.
Kumaraswami and Kapcia’s work has been fundamental for the consolidation of the Cuba Research Centre (CRC) at the University of Nottingham, the only centre of its kind in Europe. This centre is in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and Latin American Studies, and is dedicated to collaborative research on Cuba, integrating experts from European institutions and Cuban universities and research centres. As a result of its leadership, the CRC has become a focal point for the academic study of Cuba, supported by a remarkable collection of historical resources and materials.
One of the centre’s highlights is the Hennessy Collection, an unparalleled archive of more than 1,400 books, over 70 Cuban periodicals, academic articles and audiovisual materials on various aspects of the island's history, culture and current affairs. This archive was created in 1994 from a donation made by renowned scholar Alistair Hennessy, a pioneer in Cuba studies in the United Kingdom. The archive, relaunched in March 2023, is available to researchers inside and outside the University of Nottingham, consolidating the CRC as an accessible centre for scholars of Cuba and the Caribbean. In addition to the Hennessy Collection, the CRC has the Cuba Research Forum, an international academic discussion group that fosters the exchange of ideas, collaboration and academic dialogue through its annual bilateral conference, seminars and regular meetings. This forum promotes a multidisciplinary vision of Cuban studies and welcomes articles and analysis in its current blog “Understanding Cuba,” a space for reflection and contributions from researchers interested in sharing their perspectives on the Cuban reality.
Among its many initiatives, Kumaraswami and Kapcia have also contributed to the creation of the cultural tour program called “La Ruta de la Revolución,” a unique experience that connects visitors and scholars with historical sites of Cuba's revolutionary and independence struggle. This tour takes you through emblematic places that tell the history of the Cuban Revolution while strengthening cultural engagement and knowledge of the events that shaped today's Cuba.
Kumaraswami and Kapcia have succeeded in consolidating a space in which knowledge and understanding of the Cuban identity thrive, creating meaningful bridges between Cuba and the United Kingdom. By granting them the Distinction for National Culture, their contributions are officially recognized by Cuba, highlighting the importance of their work in preserving cultural memory and expanding access to these studies. The Embassy of Cuba in the United Kingdom celebrates this well-deserved recognition in honour of those who, with their passion and dedication, continue to strengthen the ties of friendship and mutual respect between both nations.