Dear friends:

Although words and language go together with our own personal and national history, I am deeply sure that this message written by myself in a sudden and exhilarating rush will never be able to express the great honour and joy I have experienced since I heard the news that I have been promoted Poet Laureate of the 45th International Poetry Festival Struga Poetry Evenings and of the Republic of Macedonia. It is also a great emotion to know that according to the ancient traditions, I will receive the Golden Laurel Wreath, the major poetry prize of the Festival and Macedonia, during the celebration of the Festival next August.

Your Award, which has turned out to be one of the oldest and greatest in the western hemisphere is, at the same time, an emblematic flame of poetic writing in our times. Just taking a look at the large list of poets honoured before me, gives me a thrill because the list of awarded poets emanates with beautiful energy, a driving force between diverse cultures, traditions and human beings. No matter which is one's native language, poetry goes through it, through each one of us, teaching all readers, including ourselves, that poetry can do the most for the better understanding among all peoples, among all poets.

Please, allow me to express my gratitude to your poetic tradition, which attributes such great appreciation to poets, but also to that of my own: the tradition of my beloved island of Cuba, the heartbeat of the Caribbean, the sunflower of Latin American poetry, which is blooming in a brand new era. They have all made this distinguished award be given to me.

Thank you very much,
Nancy Morejón