Kingston, 9 October 2023. Convened by the Embassy of Cuba in Jamaica and the Simón Bolívar Cultural Centre, the commemoration of the 155th anniversary of the beginning of the wars of independence in Cuba and the 131st anniversary of the arrival of our National Hero in Jamaica took place. The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Institute of Jamaica and the accredited diplomatic corps, including its dean Ambassador Lansford Douglas; as well as Cuban residents, members of the Movement of Solidarity with Cuba and a representation of the state mission in Jamaica.
Jackeline Bushay, on behalf of the Institute of Jamaica, described José Martí's experience on Jamaican soil in promoting the values of justice and unity as transformative. She highlighted the historic ties of brotherhood and cooperation between the two nations, which will celebrate the 51st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in December 2023.
The historian and president of the Association of Cuban Residents in Jamaica "Antonio Maceo", Osvaldo Cárdenas Junquera, made a dissertation on the life and work of the Apostle, underlining his work as a leader of the peoples of Latin America. He highlighted the relevance of the independence struggle begun on 10 October 1868 in the emancipation process of the Cuban people, which would only conclude with the triumph of the Revolution in 1959.
In his words to those present, Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica Fermín Quiñones Sánchez acknowledged the importance of Martí's visit to Jamaican territory in the preparation of the Necessary War. He reaffirmed the validity of Martí's Latin Americanist and anti-imperialist thinking to confront the "seven-league giant" and the blockade imposed by the United States government against the Cuban people.
The moment was propitious for the launching of the Martiana class, based at the Simón Bolívar Cultural Centre, aimed at bringing Marti's work closer to the new Jamaican generations.
As part of the activity, students from St. Aloysius Primary School recited a selection of Simple Verses in Spanish.