The face and story behind Cuban dissident artist and prisoner of conscience Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara was on display in Bergen, Norway this past Saturday to call attention to his plight and the plight of millions of Cubans. The homage to Otero Alcantara was followed by a march in solidarity with Cuban dissidents on Sunday.
Cuban activist and artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, sentenced to five years in prison in Cuba, was honored on November 9 in Bergen, Norway, by receiving the prestigious Rafto Prize for Human Rights.
The official ceremony, held at the University Aula in Bergen, featured prominent figures from Cuban activism, such as Norges Rodríguez, Yanelys Núñez, and Anamely Ramos.
As part of the tributes, a torch procession was organized on Sunday, November 10, in honor of Otero Alcántara to raise awareness about his struggle and the courage of his activism against the Cuban regime. Art curator Claudia Genlui Hidalgo stated to the outlet ADN Cuba that “for Luis Manuel, receiving this award is a great privilege.” She added, “He is extremely grateful to the organization and everyone who contributed to his nomination.”
The Rafto Foundation had announced in September that Otero Alcántara would be awarded for his “brave opposition to authoritarianism through art.” According to the jury, “The 2024 Rafto Prize aims to highlight the importance of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara’s work and that of other artists in challenging power structures and defending democracy and human rights in Cuba and worldwide.” The foundation also called on the Cuban government to release Otero Alcántara and all political prisoners, as well as to repeal Decree 349, which restricts artistic freedom of expression in the country.
For Genlui Hidalgo, the recognition represents “a ray of light, a bit of hope” for Otero Alcántara, who is currently serving a five-year prison sentence for the alleged crimes of “contempt” and “offense to national symbols,” charges that his supporters consider unjust and politically motivated.
Despite most of the world may turn a blind eye to the misery and oppression suffered by Cubans under the totalitarian communist Castro dictatorship, Cuban activists continue to force them to look at what they’re ignoring.