Dunedin, March 22, 2016. The New Zealand-Cuba Friendship Association, organized and opened this afternoon an art exhibition called "Yo me muero como viví” or as in English, “I die as I lived”. This exhibition presented a set of masterful paintings from the collection of the Hero of the Republic of Cuba, Mr. Antonio Guerrero, during his unjust imprisonment in US jails.
During opening ceremony, the Ambassador of Cuba, Mr. Mario Alzugaray, read a message sent and created by Mr. Fernando González Llort, commemorating this special occasion. Mr. Gonzalez is currently the Vice President of ICAP and part of the group of five fighters who protest for their freedom and against terrorism and they were also victims of a rigged and politically motivated process that led them to 16 years imprisonment.
In this letter, the Hero of the Republic of Cuba, also wanted to thank the many expressions of support that he received from different people, regarding his cause based on the release of the Five Fighters, both in New Zealand and globally. Mr. Guerrero highlighted protests made to defend Cuba's right to self-determination against the blockade and any interference in our internal Cuban affairs, and valued the solidarity work that Cuba is doing as a country.
Mrs. Jane Olsen, Dunedin coordinator of the New Zealand-Cuba Friendship Association, recalled her happiness when she knew about the release of Gerardo, Antonio and Ramon on December 17, 2014. After long fight, she was very emotional knowing that her dream of liberating them became true. She also added that fortuitously the opening of this art exhibition coincided with Obama's visit to Cuba; timely opportunity to reiterate the need to end with a total and permanent economic, commercial and financial blockade against the Caribbean island.
Art exhibition, "I die as I lived," will be exposed for two weeks in the Gallery of Otago Art Society, located in the central and iconic building Terminal Railway Otago, which for its historical value and architectural, it is among the most visited City Gallery of Dunedin, located in the Southern Region of Aotearoa, New Zealand.