Washington, Feb 22 (Prensa Latina) As part of the celebrations for African American History Month, the Cuban embassy in the United States opened its doors to an event that showcased the cultural ties that unite both peoples today.
- Photos: Courtesy of David Ramirez
Chargé d’Affaires Lianys Torres welcomed the Cubans “to our home, which is the home of all Cubans living in the United States and also the home of so many friends in the United States who share the love for our country, our customs and our culture,” she said.
He highlighted the possibility of presenting a wide range of cultural expressions from Cuba and the United States during the evening, and expressed his gratitude for the presence of “so many people who love our country and want a better future for our people.”
The diplomat praised the strength and resilience of the Cuban people. “We have resisted more than six decades of blockade by the United States government and have been included in a cruel list of state sponsors of terrorism,” she stressed.
The inclusion on that unilateral list “has hampered our ability to access investments, loans or even international banks,” he argued.
Although our people are suffering one of the most difficult economic times in our history, we are working very hard to overcome the blockade, the diplomat added.
“Cuba will continue to be a beacon of hope for those who believe in social justice for all, for those who believe in peace, in solidarity and in the fact that we can build a world of bridges, not walls,” he concluded.
It was a time to enjoy the sharing of the African diaspora. There was music; an exhibition of photographs selected by students from the University of Washington DC and the American University was inaugurated, reflecting through their lens the letters and prose of the talented Cuban and American writers Nancy Morejón and Alice Walker.
The photography project was developed and curated by professor and artist Iwan Bagus. The evening also featured distinguished scholar Alexandra Gelbard who spoke about her recent trip to Cuba and the Cabildo de Regla, as well as music and dance by DC artists.
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