On the evening of 30 January 2024, an event to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Triumph of the Cuban Revolution was held at the People's Organisations Club of Kiti. The event, organised by the Progressive Party of the Working People of Cyprus (AKEL) of Kiti and the Cyprus Cuba Friendship Association, was attended by several friends from the region of Kiti, Dromolaxia, Perbolia and neighbouring areas.
Fragments of the documentary "Ode to the Revolution", by the Cuban documentary maker Roberto Chile, started an evening full of emotions and solidarity.
Michalis Michail extended greetings to those attending the event, while thanking the Cuban Ambassador, Angel Gustavo Suárez Cordero, parliamentarians and other political leaders of the region for their presence. Michalis highlighted the significance of the Cuban Revolution and expressed his pride in holding an event of such magnitude in the region.
Vera Policarpou, Head of IR of AKEL and Secretary of the Cyprus-Cuba Friendship Association presented the Greek translation of the book "History of Cuba: The Yoke and the Star" by Professor José Cantón Navarro as one of the actions of the Association to commemorate the 65th Anniversary of the Triumph of the Cuban Revolution. She thanked the translator Andreas Ignatiou for his work, which was also supported by several friends of the Cyprus-Cuba Friendship Association and, of course, by the Almira Publishing House.
George Loukaidis, Member of the AKEL Secretariat and Head of AKEL's Bench in the Cyprus Parliament, expressed his and the party's appreciation for all that has been achieved by the Cuban Revolution in 65 years of struggle and victory. He took the opportunity to denounce the criminal, unilateral and genocidal blockade imposed on the Cuban people by the US government for more than 60 years. Similarly, Lukaides condemned the illegal occupation of part of Cuba territory by the US government and the operation of the Guantanamo prison base there. The MP expressed his appreciation for Cuba's continued support for his own struggle for the liberation and peaceful reunification of Cyprus, with its principled stand.
The Cuban Ambassador to Cyprus, Ángel Gustavo Suárez Cordero expressed his gratitude for the warmth and hospitality with which he was received in Kiti. He pointed out the historical significance of the Triumph of the Cuban Revolution on 1 January 1959 and highlighted the challenges faced throughout 65 years, from state terrorism, armed aggressions, bacteriological warfare and the inhuman, genocidal and criminal blockade imposed on Cuba for more than 60 years. The Ambassador acknowledged that much remains to be done to achieve full justice for an entire people, convinced that the ultimate victory will come if they remain united. He thanked the people of Cyprus, the Friendship Association and AKEL for their constant solidarity with Cuba and its people.
The meeting end with the cultural part, starring by the Cuban singer resident in Cyprus, Alberto Mendez, who performed songs from the repertoire of traditional Cuban music and made the audience come off their chairs to dance. Also present was the Almira Publishing House with a bookshop of various titles of Cuban historiography translated into Greek.
Present at the tribute to the Cuban Revolution were the Secretary of AKEL in the Larnaca region, Christala Antoniou, the Member of Parliament for AKEL, Andreas Pasiourtides, local authorities and 6 dozen friends of Cuba in the region (EmbaCuba Cyprus).