Belize Celebrates Cuban Cultural Day at House of Culture
Cuban Cultural Day is celebrated annually on October twentieth. The day is recognized in honor of the first time Cuba’s national anthem was sung. In light of strong bilateral relations between Belize and Cuba, Belizeans joined in on the celebration in Belize City. A Cuban Cultural Day exhibit is on display at the House of Culture. A festive ceremony was held on Thursday night to launch the exhibit. News Five’s Paul Lopez was there. He filed the following report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The Belize City House of Culture has been transformed into a Cuban Culture Day exhibit. This art exhibit has been created in recognition of well known Cuban photographers, painters and musicians. There is also an area dedicated entirely to Cuban medical workers who have contributed to Belize’s public health system. The evening began with a brief ceremony where the Cuban Ambassador to Belize delivered an address.
Maria Caridad Balaguer
Maria Caridad Balaguer, Cuban Ambassador to Belize
“Today twenty of October, one hundred fifty four years ago, the lyrics of the Cuban national anthem was sung for the first time. Ten days before, on October tenth, Carlos Manuel, at his sugar mill, has given his slaves their freedom and asked them to join the fight for Cuban independence. That moment marked the beginning of wars of independence against Spain.”
On July fifteenth, Belize and Cuba celebrated twenty seven years of established diplomatic relations. On the event of the anniversary, Prime Minister John Briceño was received in Cuba by President Miguel Diaz-Canel. The visit reaffirmed the political, economic, and social affiliations between the two nations. Minister of Education and Culture Francis Fonseca spoke at the event.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Culture
“Tonight we are here to celebrate the strong friendship and partnership between Belize and Cuba. Of course as Ambassador said, October twentieth is celebrated as Cuban National Cultural Day. It is celebrated as National Cultural Day, as ambassador gave the history. In essence it reflects the cultural identity of Cuba, the cultural roots of their great nation, Cuba. So, we are very happy at the Ministry of Education and Culture to share this evening with you.”
Maria Caridad Balaguer
“Today, the Embassy of Cuba in Belize, together with the National Institute of Culture and History of Belize, are pleased to invite to the inauguration of an exhibition of outstanding Cuban painters from different videos and plastic movement. It is an example of the rich cultural diversity of our people.”
Minister Fonseca thanks the Cuban government for its support in the health and education sectors in Belize.
Francis Fonseca
“I certainly want to place on record, as the Minister responsible for education and culture, our great gratitude to the Cuban government and people for the tremendous support that they have given to Belize, to the Belizean students who have studied in Cuba for many years, even before diplomatic relations. So, many of our doctors have studied in Cuba and have come back to serve our country. In the area of education, we have today; it is over a hundred students studying in Cuba in many different fields.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
