Republic of Cuba Municipal Vanguard Teacher's Award Documents Group

[Guest Rick Research]

Here is a set to the same person consisting of a "Municipal Vanguards" (Vanguardia Municipal) badge and award document, and award documents for the Literacy Campaign Medal (Medalla Commemorativa de la Alfabetizaci?n) and the Medal for Cuban Education (Distinci?n por la Educaci?n Cubana)

Cover for the Vanguard Badge and front and back of the badge (tiny flimsy pin is missing)

[Guest Rick Research]

Interior of the Vanguard badge indicating that it is from the labor front for education, science, and sport for city employees.

Dated 20 July 1988 for the year 1983-84.

I have obscured the recipient's name and city where this was filled out. Cuba remains a Communist dictatorship, and we should make sure that NO repercussions befall anyone living on that island under the current regime.

[Guest Rick Research]

Interior of the Alfabetizacion Medal, issued 22 December 1986 with a printed "signature." Again, recipient's name has been obscured to protect that person and family.

[Guest Rick Research]

Inside of the Cuban Education Distinction, issued 22 December 1985 and with an actual autograph/scribble of Minister of Education J. R. Fernandez

In the position indicated on the upper right of the inside front cover is a 6 digit number. Since I am unsure whether that is a "serial number" for the Medal, a file number that might also identify the recipent, or ? a phone number (many Soviet award booklets have such "call me any time, Comrade" additions) in the same hand and ink that filled in the recipient's name and date, I have obscured that as well.

[Taz]

These are very interesting

With regards to Vanguard awards it seems there are different stages or classes.

1. On a National scale the Colectivo Vanguardia nacional award includes the presenting of a flag.

Each Trade Union awards this to an organisation every year.

2. Then we have your Municipal Vanguard badge. Which seems to be awarded by the City or region Unions

3. The Vanguardia del periodo badge shown in the Orden "L?zaro Pe?a" thread post #13

And a further, what I assume is another sort of Vanguard Badge shown in the second photo. As you can see the left top row have the same chevron design.

Regards Eddie.

Edited January 5, 2008 by Taz

[Guest Rick Research]

The one above was from a city level labor front. But I don't think we need to worry about the Secretary's "signature" ( ) giving away the location!

[Taz]

Reading though an article on the Cuban labour force I found this little piece of information on labour type awards.

Around the 1970's there were 26 different Orders and Medals (Work Heros, National Vanguards, Provincial Vanguards, outstanding worker etc) instituted and awarded to the Cuban work force to boost moral and work incentive.

As you can see two types of Vanguard are mentioned, just the City or town level awards (Municipal Vanguard) are not included. So we can confirm at the moment, three types:

1. National Vanguard

2. Provincial Vanguard

3. Municipal Vanguard

Also interesting to note that the Distinction type of labour awards are all ranked the same and are not listed in the Decreto Ley #30 in an order of precedence.

This is stated in CHAPTER VII, ARTICLE 14. All Distinctions have the same hierarchy level.

This is important to know and means that just because it is low down on the availiable ribbon list it does not mean it is a lesser award than the ones further up.

Regards Eddie

Edited January 5, 2008 by Taz

[Stogieman]

An interesting and important point to keep in mind. Thanks Eddie!

Rick, simply outstanding group. To the best of my knowledge, this is now the only (??) known multi-document set off the island????????

[Guest Rick Research]

So far!

Excellent point about the 24 occupational Distinctions. Imagine anybody getting more than one of them! Still, I suppose that COULD have been entirely possible theoretically.