London, 18 October 2026. — The Cuban Embassy in the United Kingdom celebrated Cuban Culture Day with a special screening of the film *El Mayor*, by the renowned Cuban filmmaker Rigoberto López, at a gala held on Saturday 17 October at Bolívar Hall in London.
The event brought together representatives of the diplomatic corps, cultural and solidarity organisations, members of the Cuban community and friends of Cuba, for an evening dedicated to the island’s history, national identity and cinematic heritage.
In her opening remarks, Ivian Alonso Piñar, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the Cuban Embassy, recalled 20 October 1868, when ‘La Bayamesa’, composed by Perucho Figueredo, was sung for the first time in the city of Bayamo, which had recently been liberated by Cuban independence forces.
The diplomat emphasised that this day, which gave rise to the celebration of Cuban Culture Day, symbolises the link between artistic creation, national identity and the Cuban people’s aspirations for independence and sovereignty.
She also highlighted the role of culture in preserving collective memory and forging a shared identity that unites Cubans both within and beyond their borders.
Against the backdrop of the centenary of the birth of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro, Alonso Piñar recalled his contribution to broadening access to education and culture, as well as the creation of the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC) in 1959, an institution that was fundamental to the development of a national film industry capable of telling Cuba’s stories from its own perspectives.
The screening gave the audience an insight into the life of Major General Ignacio Agramonte y Loynaz (1841–1873), an iconic figure in Cuba’s struggles for independence from Spanish colonialism.
A lawyer by training, a defender of republican principles and a contributor to the drafting of the 1869 Constitution of Guáimaro, Agramonte became one of the most daring military commanders of the Ten Years’ War.
The film also explores his relationship with Amalia Simoni, whose commitment to the independence cause, steadfastness and personal sacrifices form an essential part of this story. Referring to José Martí’s famous description of Agramonte as ‘a diamond with the soul of a kiss’, the diplomat highlighted the humanity of the hero from Camagüey and the role of women in the struggle for national independence.
During her address, the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. also condemned the intensification of the US economic blockade against Cuba, particularly the measures aimed at hindering the supply of fuel to the island, the consequences of which are affecting hospitals, schools, homes and cultural institutions.
She reiterated the call for an end to these coercive measures and defended the right of the Cuban people to live, create and build their future in peace, free from external pressure. In this context, she highlighted the importance of preserving cultural heritage as an expression of memory, identity and resistance.
The event highlighted the collaboration between the Embassy, Screen Cuba, the Music Fund for Cuba, the Campaign for Solidarity with Cuba (CSC) and the ICAIC, which helps to promote Cuban cinema and strengthen cultural ties between Cuba and the United Kingdom.
Special recognition was given to Screen Cuba’s work in preserving the national film heritage. The approximately 11,000 pounds raised during its 2026 festival will go towards supporting the restoration and digitisation of *Elpidio Valdés* (1979), the first animated feature film in Cuban cinema, and four short films by the renowned filmmaker Juan Padrón.
As Alonso Piñar said at the end of his speech:
‘From an anthem born of struggle to a story told on screen, Cuban culture continues to unite generations and transcend borders.’
The evening reaffirmed the value of Cuban culture as a living expression of the history, sovereignty and creativity of a people determined to preserve, defend and pass on their identity to future generations.
