The Nazım Hikmet Culture and Arts Center of the Şişli Municipality hosted the event “Fidel’s Legacy, the Future of the Revolution”, which brought together a wide audience of friends of Cuba, institutional representatives, and solidarity organizations.
The opening remarks were delivered by Nahide Özkan, President of the Cuba–Türkiye Friendship Association José Martí, who began her speech by saluting Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution. Özkan recalled that for more than sixty years, Cuba has faced a sustained policy of hostility from the United States. She emphasized that the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed on the Island constitutes “a real war”, citing the attempted invasions, sabotage, biological attacks, and covert operations aimed at undermining the Cuban revolutionary process. She stressed that this reality places on Cuba’s friends the responsibility to strengthen international solidarity.
The event featured keynote addresses by:
Emilio Ratmir Lozada García, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and Head of International Relations;
Kemal Okuyan, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Türkiye (TKP);
alongside the opening remarks of Özkan herself.
Among the distinguished guests were Raúl E. Madrigal Cárdenas, Consul General of the Republic of Cuba in Istanbul, as well as other officials of the Cuban Consulate, including Amelia Sánchez and Lisvan Aleaga, who also attended the gathering.
The event included a musical performance by renowned pianist Dengin Ceyhan, widely known for his consistent solidarity with Cuba, who performed two pieces that contributed to the warm atmosphere of fraternity and internationalist commitment.
The event concluded with a firm call:
• The United States blockade against Cuba must end immediately.
• Cuba must be removed without delay from the illegitimate U.S. list of “state sponsors of terrorism.”
