Sello Siboney of Empresa de Grabaciones y Ediciones Musicales (Egrem) and the Karachi Orchestra, both in Santiago de Cuba, received National Vanguard status.

The «Siboney» for the second time and Karachi for the twenty-fifth time have been recognized for their comprehensive labor and trade union achievements in 2024.

Volunteer work, blood donations, contributions to social programs, timely payment of union dues, and contributions to the Fatherland, among other actions, were enough for both groups to receive the «Vanguard» award.

The emblematic Casa de la Trova in the city of Santiago hosted the recognition ceremony, led by Yunieski Citra Vázquez, General Secretary of the National Union of Cultural Workers (SNTC) in the province; Raulicer García Hierrezuelo, Director of Culture in the territory; and Renier Rodríguez, Director of Egrem.

Also present were members of the two groups, who have been honored for their remarkable work in marketing musical products and preserving culture in a city declared by Unesco as «Creative in Music».

On this occasion, Siboney Studios was officially recognized as a teaching unit of the Provincial Branch of the University of the Arts, and the Guitarra Mía Award, created by Egrem, was presented.

Renier Rodríguez also presented the Guitarra Mía Award to Casa de la Trova and the Son de Cuba Agency.

According to Yunieski Citra Vázquez, secretary general of the SNTC, eight centers in Santiago have received the National Distinguished Status.

Each of these moments of encouragement is included in the activities of the Province of Santiago in honor of May 1st.