Antonio Gómez Delgado, known as El Loquito (the little crazy guy), winner of the José Martí National Journalism Prize 2015, dedicated the distinction presented to him on March 12 at the José Martí Memorial, Havana, to Fidel and the Revolution.
During the ceremony to present the highest distinction awarded by the Union of Cuban Journalists in recognition of the recipient’s life work, the cameraman for the Cuban Television’s Information System commented that he had had the privilege of seeing the Comandante en Jefe, Fidel Castro, for the first time on January 8, 1959, and lamented not having brought a camera to document the moment.
The statement by the judges panel which ruled in his favor expressed that, “due to his professional imprint our country can enjoy graphic testimonies as part of its cultural heritage – in movement and action – of events spanning more than four decades, captured with the sensitivity and instinct which transforms images into sensory narratives, which is his way of writing.”
The annual Juan Gualberto Gómez Journalism Awards were also officially presented to Rosa Miriam Elizalde in the category of Digital Press, to photographer Ismael Francisco for Graphics, Elsa Ramos Ramírez for Radio and Katia Siberia for Written Press.
During the main speech of the event, René González Barrios, President of the Cuban History Institute, recalled various moments in the history of Cuban journalism and its independent foundation. “Our press is perfectible, but it is also transparent and clear like the soul of the Homeland,” he commented.
During the event, participants attended the inauguration of the exposition Un año en fotos, by Ismael Francisco, photojournalist for the webpage Cubadebate, who captured transcendental moments related to the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Summit held in Cuba, the five anti-terrorist Heroes, and other photographs which demonstrate his unmistakable ability to capture the essence of an image.
In attendance at the ceremony were Rolando Alfonso Borges, head of the Ideological Department of the Party Central Committee; Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento, secretary general of the CTC; Antonio Moltó, UPEC president; Dr. Armando Hart Dávalos and other Party and government officials.
