Ottawa – As part of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Canada, the Cuban Embassy hosted the exhibition “Ties” by the renowned Cuban visual artist Michel Mirabal Martínez, who was present at the event.
In his welcome remarks, the Cuban Ambassador, Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, introduced Mirabal and recalled activities carried out this year commemorating the first eight decades of bilateral ties.
Subsequently, Member of Parliament Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took the floor. He praised Mirabal’s work and emphasized art as a bridge connecting peoples. Oliphant highlighted the excellent relations between Canada and Cuba and assured that his government will continue supporting the Island in its struggle to lift the United States blockade: “The friendship that Cuba and Canada have is profound, it is important, and it is long lasting, and it is incredibly important to both our countries. It is incredibly important as we learn about perseverance, endurance, as we continue to call for the safety and the prosperity of Cuba, and as we continue to stand for Cuban sovereignty and rights and the ending of an embargo against Cuba. We will continue to stand with that.”
For his part, Mirabal thanked everyone for the warm reception of the exhibition and stated that Cuba’s greatest treasure is its people, and that the Canadian people are wonderful.
The opening of the exhibition, sponsored by the Canadian institution Terra Art and with the personal collaboration of curator Lillian Faulkner, was attended by parliamentarians, Foreign Ministry officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, solidarity movement representatives, and a delegation of Cubans residing in Ottawa.