Prize Giving for “Mi Herencia Hispana” Literary Contest

Judge Mimi Faguaga presents Daniel Mazorra Solá, 1st runner-up, with his prize. December 13, 2011.

Tuesday, December 12, 2011 - Public Affairs Officer Gloria Berbena hosted a prize giving ceremony for the "Mi Herencia Hispana" Literary Contest.  During the intimate event, attended by the winners and their friends and family members, contest judges and USINT staff, contestants shared the inspiration and influences on their work.

The "Mi Herencia Hispana" Literary Contest invited Cubans to submit up to two short stories and/or two poems that reflected the contest theme: "My Hispanic Heritage".  USINT received 99 entries from over 60 contestants.  For 2nd runner-up Alberto Martinez Risco, this was the first contest he had ever entered!

The winners of the contest were:

• Orlando Freire Santana, Winner, for "La Semana Tiene Más de Siete Días", a short story
• Daniel Mazorra Solá, 1st Runner-Up, for "Mi Bisabuelo Mambi", a short story, and
• Alberto B. Martínez del Risco, 2nd Runner-Up, for "Madre Patria", a poem.

For more photos please visit our Facebook Photo Album.

The "Mi Herencia Hispana" contest was one of several activities organized by USINT in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually from 15 September to 15 October.  Other activies included a literary tertulia, led by Puerto Rican writer Esmeralda Santiago, whose latest book "Conquistadora" was published in 2011, and by Ilan Stavans, Lewis-Sebring Professor in Latin American and Latino Culture at Amherst College, Massachussetts.  Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the contributions and achievements of the Hispanic American community, and is celebrated in town and cities across the United States and at its foreign missions around the world.