The festival, held with wide participation of the population, was sponsored by the city authorities as well as the National Association of Italy-Cuba Friendship (Anaic) and other solidarity groups with that country, said Irma Castillo, who helped organize it.
It was “a day to give thanks to those who helped us at a time of great suffering and loss in the first phase of the Covid-19 pandemic by sending doctors without wasting time, without fuss, without fear, return without asking for anything,” read a statement from its sponsors.
“Infinite gratitude and appreciation for this brave, unique, proud people,” the document adds.
It is an initiative in favor of friendship and love between the peoples of both countries, added Castillo, who has made enormous efforts to make it a reality together with Ulises Mora and other Cubans living here, with the support of the Caribbean nation’s embassy.
Tourism Minister Madelén González-Pardo; the Adviser for Multilateral Affairs, Claudia González; the Cuban consul in Rome, Félix Lorenzo; the First Secretary for Political Affairs, Claudia Morgade, and other officials.
Members of the National Coordinator of Cubans in Italy (Conaci) and groups such as Proyecto Latino, Punto Cubano, Para un prince enano and Ángulo Cubano, which among others bring together the indigenous people of José Martí’s land, also attended.
During the event, the children’s activity “Children are the hope of the world” was carried out by these Cuban associations, as well as the screening of the documentary film “Sovereignty and the challenge of Cuba before Covid-19” by the Italian Federico Mariani.
In addition, the participants could enjoy a dinner with typical dishes of the island and a concert with the Cuban singer Irina Arozarena.
Castillo and Mora gave a master class on Cuban folk dances and officially presented the 2022 International Timbalaye Festival in Italy with a documentary film dedicated to the XIV edition of the event, which will be held in Cuba from August 19 to 31 this year.
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