Hanoi, January 27 (Prensa Latina) Cuban National Hero José Martí was considered today as a pioneer and messenger who sowed the first seeds of loyal friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, thus laying the foundations for a special relationship.
The assessment was made by Nguyen Manh Cuong, vice chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, while delivering a speech at the unveiling ceremony of a bust of the Apostle of Cuban Independence at the island’s consulate general in that southern Vietnamese metropolis.
This is the first monument dedicated to the land and people of Cuba erected in Ho Chi Minh City, not only to pay homage to the life and great work of José Martí, but also as a living and profound testimony of the traditional and close friendship between our two peoples, Manh Cuong emphasized.
He recalled that, at the end of the 19th century, when both peoples were still suffering under colonialism, Martí dedicated his noble feelings and his high intelligence to this people of the Far East in the pages of the magazine La Edad de Oro, through the work A Walk Through the Land of the Annamites.
In particular, with the keen vision of an extraordinary politician, thinker, and man of culture, he recognized the indomitable vitality of the people and placed firm confidence in Vietnam’s victory in the long struggle against colonialism for national liberation, he remarked.
Van Duoc also emphasized that the placement of the bust of the National Hero “is not only a tribute to a great personality and a great intelligence from Cuba, but also a profound expression of gratitude towards a pioneer and messenger who sowed the first seeds of loyal friendship between Vietnam and Cuba.”
The work is the result of cooperation between the University of Fine Arts and the University of Public Security, and the Cuban Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Consul General Ariadne Feo Labrada praised Martí’s “immense legacy of wisdom and patriotism for the Cuban people, for Latin America, and for the world.” She stated that in the most difficult moments of Cuban history, Martí’s thought, his life, and his work have served as an inspiration to the Cuban people, adding that Martí never rested in his pursuit of national unity, which would lead to a free and independent Cuba.
He recalled that the independence hero always valued the importance of human well-being and friendship, which is why the bust inaugurated today in his memory bears the phrase “Great things cannot be done without great friends,” after which he dared to affirm that “there is no friend more faithful and supportive of Cuba than Vietnam.”
“Our desire was to create a bust of the National Hero of Cuba with the deep respect we feel, not only for his figure, but also as an expression of love and admiration for the beautiful and heroic Cuban nation and its people,” said Nguyen Van Minh, Rector of the University of Fine Arts in Ho Chi Minh City.
He explained that the clay modeling was done by the sculptor Tran Tuan Nghia, professor and head of the Design Faculty of that university, and the stone carving work was carried out by the Binh Thuy Construction and Fine Arts Company (former graduate of the University).
This work also reflects the recognition, dedication and concrete actions of the Consul General, Ariadne Feo Labrada, for the friendship, solidarity and close and indissoluble ties between our two peoples, she said.
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