:- I think you have celebrated the Mongolian traditional holiday Tsagaan Sar /Lunar New Year/. How did you celebrate Lunar New Year last year?
- We have celebrated Tsagaan Sar in 2022 with some of our closest friends. They are graduated professionals from Cuban universities in a program of free scholarships that Cuba have with Mongolia and several other brother Developing Countries since 1963 that have graduated around 140 Mongolians. We ate some food, drank, talked, hear music and shared funny jokes and anecdotes of their stay in Cuba and mine here.
: - What kind of traditional cuisine and beverage do you like of Tsagaan sar?
- I like your buuz and also your capital salad. I tried many salads in different countries, but yours is very tasted and special. We also like your cabbage salad; it is so tasty that we make it often at our home.
: - What family holiday is like Lunar New Year in Cuba? How is that holiday celebrated?
- In Cuba the family holiday is the eve of the next year. It is a double festivity because we also celebrate the anniversary Triumph of the Revolution on January 1st, 1959, led by late leader Fidel Castro, when his rebel guerrilla defeated the bloody military dictatorship of Mr. Batista. In that date we also celebrate that Cuba became, for the first time, a really sovereign and independent country from our big neighbor. It also marks the beginning of universal and free education and health for all that are some of our cherished conquests. That holiday is celebrated in two ways. Some people stay at homes and held a dinner party with family, friends and/or neighbors. They cook Cuban food like roasted pork, black beans with rice, cassava and fried green plantain and drink rum cocktails, some other people go to the free public parties in public squares to eat, drink and enjoy live Cuban music.
: - Please send New Year's greetings to the Mongolians.
- On behalf of the Cuban government and people, my family and myself, I wish the Government, the families, and the people of Mongolia a Happy Lunar New Year and also health, prosperity, new successes and well-being. I also wish that the Mongolians protect and preserve your families, your elders, your rich traditions, culture, music and dance, your traditional colorful dresses and your beautiful nature and landscapes for your future generations and the world.
: - What does the Cuban embassy plan to do in 2023 specifically?
- In order to strengthening and diversifying our 62 years old historic friendly, respectful and mutual beneficial relations, the Embassy has many things to do in 2023 and onward besides increase the modest sales of Habanos cigars, Rum and Cohiba Cigarrettes on sale since recently in GS25 and Nomin stores.
Given that Cubans and Mongolian medical doctors and dentists graduated in my country are much appreciated here, we hope that some students are able go to our universities under your President´s program of scholarships abroad for the best students. We can also cooperate in health, sports and in biotechnology for the local production of vaccines and biopharmaceuticals for human and animal use.
As the years from 2023 to 2025 has been declared as "Years to visit Mongolia" we can share our experience in modalities such as nature, country side, ecotourism and cultural tourism and look forward to see the participation of Mongolia in the 41st International Tourism Fair (FIT 2023) in Havana, next May 2 to 5, 2023 that will be an opportunity to meet international firms as the last edition was attended by over 6 000 professionals from 54 countries, 38 airlines and 254 tour operators and travel agencies.
Also, we look forward to see the participation of Mongolian firms in trade and investments in Cuba in sectors in which Mongolia have experience like mining, cattle, beverages, meat, milk and vegetables food processing, construction, among others. We also wish your participation in the Havana International Trade Fair FIHAV 2023 in November 13 to 17, which was attended last year by more than 60 countries: including 7 from Asia Pacific.
Published in: https://mongolia.gogo.mn/r/43jon in English and in https://gogo.mn/r/wwqmk in Mongol