For the first time, and within the Day of the Cuban Historian - to be held from June 17 to July 31 -, the Eusebio Leal Spengler Award will be presented, organized by the Provincial Executive Committee of the Union of Historians of Cuba (UNHIC) in Havana and co-sponsored by the Office of the Historian of the City (OHCH) and the University of Havana.

This was announced at a press conference by the institution's directors, headed by Dr. Andres Zaldívar Diéguez, provincial president of the UNHIC in Havana.

Likewise, teachers and professors of general and university education with a professional practice of not less than 25 years with a recognized work in pedagogical research and history teaching, and in the training of archeologists, anthropologists, heritage specialists and other specialties that contribute to the historical culture, that enjoy social recognition and constitute an example for other teachers, will be analyzed for the recognition.

Likewise, it was announced that in the case of those who make their contribution as professionals in history as museologists, archivists, librarians and journalists, those who have dedicated at least 25 years to the work of researching, conserving and disseminating historiographic, documentary and cultural historical heritage, with outstanding results in their disciplinary area, and who enjoy social recognition as an example for their colleagues, will be valued.

As stated in the minutes of the call for the award, by agreement of the National Executive Committee of the UNHIC in December 2019, the provincial branches of the Union were to organize the awarding of provincial history prizes, as a way to encourage, for the work of a lifetime, to those who, in accordance with the code of ethics of Cuban historians, were the authors of a work that has stood out for relevant results in historical research, history teaching, patrimonial activity, archival studies, anthropological studies and historical librarianship.

A jury composed of important historians and personalities, chaired by Dr. Felix Julio Alfonso, assistant historian of the OHCH, will be responsible for analyzing each of the proposals.

Precisely, Alfonso expressed that for the Office of the Historian the creation of this Award is an honor and also represents a commitment to continue the work and legacy of both Roig de Leuchsenring and Leal Spengler: "This is one more reason for brotherhood between the Office and the UNHIC. And the reason is that the Day of the Cuban Historian is commemorated the day Emilio Roig was declared Historian of the City, and now this award with the name of Leal. These are all very powerful reasons to continue working for Cuba, for Havana, for national history, for the knowledge of our past in order to understand our present, to glimpse the future and also  that the people who receive the award from now on feel deeply honored and identified with that legacy".

The Eusebio Leal Spengler Award will be presented on July 1 at the Provincial Act for the Historian's Day, and with it will begin the tradition of incorporating the tribute to the eternal Historian of the City of Havana, along with the one that is usually made to Emilio Roig de Leuchsenring on the occasion of the anniversary.

Eusebio Leal Spengler was part of the secretariat of the Havana branch of the UNHIC since its creation in April 1986. In July 1993 he was elected provincial vice-president at the affiliates' assembly, and when he attended as a direct delegate to the III Congress of the Union, in 1995, he was elected National President. When he stepped down from that position in 1999, he was recognized as Honorary President.

Source: Radio Havana