The work of the also Doctor in Historical Sciences, Professor and Senior Researcher and Graduate in Art History, was recognized by a jury made up of Miguel Barnet (President), Alberto Prieto, Marlene Vázquez, René González and Omar Valiño.
In his considerations, he highlighted the investigative work within the social and cultural anthropology of Guanche; his notable studies of the ethnic components of the Cuban nation, which demonstrate the depth of his thought.
He also highlighted having incorporated novel and little-studied aspects of Cuban popular culture, both in Hispanic and African origins, and stressed that his vast work constitutes a model to follow in anthropological studies.
The jury’s report distinguishes his creative participation in the work of the Cuban Academy of Sciences, the Academy of History and the Cuban Society Friends of the Country.
Born on September 1, 1950 in Havana, Guanche was a member of the Board of Directors of the Fernando Ortiz Foundation, as well as Coordinator of the Social and Humanistic Sciences Section of the Cuban Academy of Sciences (2000-2016).
According to the Cuban portal Ecured, he currently works as an academic at the Hebei University of International Studies, Shijiazhuang, China.
Among his merits it appears that he was a recipient of the Distinction for National Culture (1995); the Tropical Gypsy Distinction (Havana, 1999); Mirror of Patience Distinction (Camagüey, 2006); City Rosette (Cienfuegos, 2008); Illustrious son of the City of Havana (2008); Outstanding Educator, 20th century in Cuba (2009).
In addition, he obtained awards from the Cuban Academy of Sciences (1998, 2016, 2017), from the Scientific-Technical Criticism of the Cuban Book Institute (2009 and 2015); the National Cultural Research (2013); the Mackandal (2014); among others.
He also holds the Carlos J. Finlay Order, of the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba (2018); the YanZhao Friendship Award, Hebei, China (2020); and as an active member of the New York Academy of Sciences, United States, since 1995.
The writer and essayist has published various monographs: Procesos etnoculturales de Cuba, Havana, 1983; Caidije (study of a Haitian-Cuban community), Santiago de Cuba, 1988; Canarian significance in the Hispanic population of Cuba, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 1992; Ethnic components of the Cuban nation, Havana, 1996.
Others were Spain in the sap of Cuba, Havana, 1999; Popular prayers of Cuba: invocations and iconography, 2001; Transculturation and Africa, 2002.
He participated in more than a hundred scientific events on sociocultural anthropology and cultural history, both in Cuba and abroad.
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