Cuban playwright, teacher, designer and director. René Fernández Santana founded the Teatro Papalote (Cía. Papalote) in 1962 in the city of Matanzas. The objective of this company was to restore the value of traditional popular culture, in particular the Afro-Cuban folklore which holds a special place.

He has received numerous awards, including the Premio Villanueva de la Crítica (Villanueva Critics Prize) in 1999. He has toured extensively in Europe and has participated in important festivals. Among his works are: Feo (Ugly), Circo de sueños (Circus of Dreams), Obiaya Fufelele, and El Tambor de Ayapa (Ayapa’s Drum).

René Fernández Santana is the current President of the Cuban branch of UNIMA.

(See Cuba.)