The most prolific Cuban researcher during the last century in the social sciences, and particularly in cultural anthropology, Fernando Ortiz Fernández, was born in an area in the center of Havana on 16 July 1881, 140 years ago now.

In his own right, he occupies a place among the greatest exponents of intellectuality, for he integrated black roots into the genuine Cuban identity, solidly establishing that Cuba is and will be a great stew, the well-known and traditional Cuban food so loved by its inhabitants.

 His most important contributions were based on the definitions of Cubanness and transculturation, two concepts that marked milestones in cultural anthropology and served as the basis for subsequent research in the field.

His first book, Los Negros Brujos (The Black Witches), published in Madrid in 1906, brought to light the situation of racism in Cuba. Once again, he came to the defense of the unprotected: “Without the Negro Cuba would not be Cuba [...] of the Negro as a human being, of his spirit, of his history, of his ancestors, of his languages, of his arts, of his positive values, and his social possibilities... nothing.’’

He endeavored to define Cuba through its idiosyncrasy, its people, and its essence. These were the first steps in what was to be Fernando Ortiz's great contribution, for in 1940 he published his work Contrapunteo cubano del tabaco y el azúcar (Cuban Counterpoint of Tobacco and Sugar).

His greatest intellectual maturity was felt with the publication of other classic works for Cuban social sciences, such as El engaño de las razas (1946), La africanía de la música folclórica de Cuba (1950), Los bailes y el teatro de los negros en el folklore de Cuba (1951,) and Los instrumentos de la música afrocubana (1952).

In his work, Fernando Ortiz not only deals with Cuban themes, but also attempts a universal method of knowledge about peoples and their cultures. He showed such depth of thought, such versatility and such exceptional talent that his imprint remains in various branches of knowledge and the roots of the Cuban people.

It is worth taking up again, because of its extraordinary importance, the four volumes of La correspondencia de Fernando Ortiz (The Correspondence of Fernando Ortiz), the result of a profound search, selection and analysis of one of the emblematic personalities of authentic culture, which the Havana International Book Fair of 2020 provided us with.

He worked as a lawyer, archaeologist, journalist, as well as making considerable contributions in areas of knowledge such as ethnology and history, offering tools for the study not only of Cuban culture but also for the broad panorama of Latin American culture.

One of his most valid and enduring positions is based on anti-imperialism: "[...] If not as serious as economic imperialism, which sucks the blood of the Cuban people, the ideological imperialism that follows it is also dissolving. The former breaks their economic independence; the latter destroys their moral life. The one takes away their support; the other takes away their soul."

Because, as he acknowledged in the prologue to the Cuentos Negros de Cuba, a work by the great writer Lydia Cabrera: "A people that denies itself is in a suicidal trance.''

Fernando Ortiz succeeded in creating and bequeathing to his fellow countrymen and the world a remarkable cultural work, which in 2019 merited the declaration of Cultural Heritage of the Nation by the National Council of Cultural Heritage. This is recognition of a legacy that will continue to grow in the soul of every Cuban.