Kingston, Jamaica, 28 January 2019. Today at 6 o'clock in the afternoon, a brief but heartfelt ceremony was held at the Cuban Embassy in Jamaica to commemorate the 166th anniversary of the birth of Cuban National Hero, José Martí.
The ceremony was chaired by Ambassador Inés Fors Fernández, and was attended by members of the State Mission of Cuba, Cubans living in Jamaica and friends from the Jamaica-Cuba solidarity movement.
The event started with a minute of silence in mourning for those killed in the tornado that devastated part of Havana on the night of Sunday, January 27. Next, Hope McNish, active member of the Jamaica-Cuba Friendship Association and President of the Jamaica Peace Council, commented on the Latin American and Caribbean vocation of José Martí and the validity of his ideas in the face of the problems that plague our region.
The keynote address was given by Maria Nela Cabrales, member of the board of directors of the "Antonio Maceo" Association of Cuban Residents in Jamaica, who addressed essential aspects of Marti's life, work and ideals.
The Cuban Meliset Rodríguez delighted everyone with her excellent performance of the Guantanamera, with simple verses of the Apostle; and Ricardo Calvo, Counselor at the Embassy, recited the poem "Martí", by Bonifacio Byrne.
At the end, Cuban children present at the ceremony deposited a bouquet of white flowers on the bust of Jose Martí which, together with the Flag of the Solitary Star, keeps the entrance of the Diplomatic Headquarters of the Republic of Cuba in Jamaica.
