Vivian Mas Saravia, president of the jury that awarded the prizes, read the decision that granted this year both awards to their directors Marcia Brito –Museum, and Kalec Acosta – Sauto, the venue of the ceremony, located in an area adjacent to the foundational site of the city.

Acosta commented to Prensa Latina that such recognition implies a much greater responsibility for the coliseum, ‘from the cultural and governmental institutions, and also from the people of Matanzas in supporting its care.’

‘It is a nice gift to the 328th anniversary of the village celebrated on October 12, and it is also important since the pandemic has prevented us from having a stable programming but from November, and complying with all the required sanitary protocols, we foresee the resumption of the shows,’ he added.

Brito, meanwhile, told Prensa Latina that the award ‘motivates us to work harder to ensure that the old French apothecary continues, within the Matanzas culture, as a bastion and reference for the preservation of our heritage.’

ef/omr/mem/wap