New York, October 30th, 2023.- Representatives of various Cuban cultural institutions made a working visit to several cities in the United States, including New York and Tampa.
In the case of New York, the delegation was made up of Indira Fajardo Ramírez, representative and president of the Cuban Institute of Music; Ana Margarita Morejón Padrón, director of International Relations of the Ministry of Culture, and Lillitsy Hernández Oliva, president of the National Council of Performing Arts.
During its visit to this city, the delegation held fruitful exchanges with representatives of various cultural and academic institutions in the area such as the Joyce Theater, the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), the Metropolitan Museum, the Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Museum of Jazz, the Center for Cuban Studies, the People's Forum, among others.
In a brief exchange with the Cuban delegation held at the headquarters of the Cuban Mission to the United Nations in New York, we were able to learn about the objectives and results of such an important visit.
Lillitsy Hernández, president of the National Council of Performing Arts, said that the various meetings held served the Cuban representatives to show the work and results of each of their institutions while contributing to enlighten the American representatives regarding the possibilities for increase bilateral cooperation with each of its counterparts, despite the blockade.
"We have had the opportunity to speak with dozens of people and we have been able to confirm that, despite all the restrictions imposed by the current blockade policy towards Cuba, the will to strengthen these ties remains."
Ana Margarita Morejón, director of International Relations of the Ministry of Culture, explained that they had the opportunity to exchange about the cultural values of Cuba, the potential that exists to improve bilateral relations in the cultural field, as well as the impact of the blockade on those relationships, in the life of the Cuban people and in the efforts to advance in the areas linked to the arts and artistic education, in addition to achieving the full enjoyment of these values not only by Cubans but also by Americans.
“There is a lot of interest to continue working together. It has been very important for us to verify from the institutional system that the interest of a large part of the American citizens and cultural institutions in learning even more about Cuban culture is maintained. and to also increase exchanges,” she said.
For her part, representative Indira Fajardo, president of the Cuban Institute of Music, described the feeling of closeness that they could feel in each of the exchanges held. And she said that culture is once again the bond between the people of Cuba and the United States.
She added that, in the specific case of music, this "has been a necessary vehicle of communication between the two countries. It has never ceased to be so. This visit will make it possible to increase efforts to strengthen these ties."
After concluding its visit to New York, the Cuban delegation visited the cities of Washington, DC and Tampa. In the latter, they developed an extensive program that included a tour of the historic part of Ybor City.
They also visited the José Martí Park and the Cuban Lyceum of Tampa, where our National Hero, José Martí, gave the speech that would become known as “With everyone and for the good of all.”
In this city, with cultural and historical ties with Cuba, the Cuban delegation held meetings with representatives of Tempus Projects, Tampa City Ballet and Gasparilla Music Foundation, as well as the weekly Tampa newspaper, “Gaceta.”
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations