The Cuban Fmbassy, in collaboration with the Latin American-Caribbean Centre and the Department of History of the University of the West Indies, paid tribute to Cuban National Hero, Jose Marti.
The event, which was hosted on the 164thanniversary of Marti’s birthday, was held at the Alma Jordan Library, UWI Campus, St Augustine.
Prof Kelvin Singh of the Department of His-tory at the UWI emphasised the significance of Marti’s contribution towards Cuba’s Independence as he delivered the key note address on the evening.
The placement of a wreath at the statue of Jose Marti by Cuban Ambassador Guillermo Vazquez Moreno and Prof Jessica Byron-Re-id of the Institute of International Relations marked the end of the formal part of the function.
Specially-invited guests then mingled as they viewed some of Marti's work which was on display in the library.
Jose Marti was a poet,
journalist, revolutionary philosopher and professor who became a symbol for Cuba’s bid for independence against Spain in the 19th century.
From adolescence he dedicated his life to the promotion of liberty, political independence for Cuba and the intellectual independence for all Spanish-Americans.
His death was used as a cry for Cuban independence from Spain by both the Cuban revolutionaries and those Cubans previously reluctant to start revolt.