Solidarity, the most beautiful expression of the tenderness of the peoples...
On Monday, 3 April, the Cyprus-Cuba Friendship Association celebrated its 30th anniversary in a warm atmosphere at the "Old Market of Pallouriotissa". The Cyprus-Cuba Friendship Association was founded in the spring of 1992 by a group of friends of Cuba, inspired by the example of its heroic people.
The event was attended by founding members and continuators of the Association, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, Cubans, friends of Cuba from Central and Latin American countries and Palestine, as well as the Deputy Mayor of Nicosia Christos Iosif. The President of the Cyprus-Cuba Association, Dr. Andreas Chrysanthou, welcoming the attendees, stressed that the essence of the Association's existence is to share the culture, history and realities of the two peoples and as a consequence the promotion of understanding, friendship and solidarity. Denouncing the illegal US blockade of Cuba, Dry Chrysanthou stressed that "as a doctor, I cannot accept that some people impose measures that do not allow colleagues in Cuba to have essential medicines and equipment to save children's lives!"
The event was addressed by the Ambassador of Cuba to Cyprus, Angel Gustavo Suarez, who thanked the Association and the Cypriot people for their enduring friendship and solidarity in difficult circumstances for his country. "... I would like to thank all those who have made it possible over the years to maintain and strengthen relations between Cyprus and Cuba and to assure them that we appreciate all the support and solidarity towards our people. And that we are here and will be here to reciprocate for many years to come." With this in mind, he awarded the Association with the 60th Anniversary Medal of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples - ICAP.
On behalf of AKEL, the General Secretary of the Central Committee, Stefanos Stefanou, reaffirmed AKEL’s solidarity with Cuba and stressed that the two countries were linked through common struggles within the framework of the Non-Aligned Movement, of whom Fidel and Makarios were founding members. At critical moments in our history, Cuba has been our pillar of support at the UN, with many Caribbean, South American and African states lining up behind it.
In a video message that was shown at the meeting Fernando Gonzalez Yort, President of ICAP, after congratulating the Association for its activity, said: "Today, more than ever, defending the Cuban Revolution and the struggle against the blockade are a priority. We are confident that we can count on your support and solidarity because, as our apostle José Martí said, a righteous idea from the depths of a cave can do more than an army."
A very good friend of Cyprus, Dr. Aleida Guevara March, Che's daughter, recalled her visits to Cyprus, saying that "to know from the inside the pain felt by the people was something very intense. Despite all this, despite all the problems that the Cypriot people are facing and overcoming, they remain a people of solidarity. [...] Count on us. You should know that we are brothers and sisters and that we can and must continue to work together to make the dream of the great men and women of this world a reality. A more just world where we can all live with much more dignity, much more joy and therefore happiness."
The Association honored Andreas Ignatiou, who served as its Secretary for a number of years, for a life's work: the translation of the book "History of Cuba" by Professor Jose Cantón Navarro, published in collaboration with "Almira" Publications.
The event closed with a cultural intervention with poetry by José Martí and Nicolás Guillén read by Christina Christofia, Iselle Seylani, Alejandra Suarez Sains and verses by José Martí and Alassio set to music by Giorgos Kalogirou, performed by Frederica Tombazou, while Lucio Mena closed the evening with the famous song “Guantanamera”. Works inspired by Cuba by the late painter and friend of Cuba Michalis Kyrlitsias, Melina Karakondylou and Fotos Demetriou, as well as Cuban artists, were exhibited in the foyer.