During the commemoration of the 95th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Cuba and the Republic of Finland, Ambassador Beatriz Parra González presented former President Tarja Halonen, a prominent member of the Finland-Cuba Association and recognized international figure, with a recognition for his support of solidarity between both peoples, with a reproduction of the painting “El Triunfo de la Rumba” by the emblematic Cuban painter Eduardo Abela.
Before more than a hundred attendees, the Cuban representative also highlighted the issues that have marked these nine decades of diplomatic relations, highlighting the participation of Finnish figures in the Caribbean independence efforts, the collaboration established in the scientific and academic fields, as well as the Finland’s historic support for Cuba’s denunciation of the United States blockade.
In this regard, Parra highlighted “the greatest obstacle to the development of our country today is the permanence of the US blockade, and in particular the financial persecution established with the absurd inclusion of Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, and I say absurd, because the mission humanist goal of the Cuban Revolution has been to sponsor life, with doctors, scientists and teachers, who have brought their help to the most remote places of our Planet, whether due to an earthquake, a tsunami or a lethal pandemic.”
The Caribbean diplomat offered particular recognition to the solidarity work of the Finland-Cuba Association, which these days is carrying out new days of solidarity work at the Las Tunas Pediatric Hospital. “Every year Finnish friends arrive with all their good vibes and with important medical donations, which allow us to break the effect of the cruel blockade on the health of innocent beings like children,” highlighted the Ambassador, while images of the voluntary work carried out the previous day in Cuba by the Finnish brigade.
The celebration was attended by authorities from the Finnish Foreign Ministry, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, more than thirty Ambassadors and diplomatic representatives, members of the Finland-Cuba Association, the leadership of the Communist Party of Finland and members of the Community of Cubans residing in this Nordic nation.
At the event, Dr. Esa Tulkki, member of the Finland-Cuba Association, referred to figures that historically and culturally link the relations between both countries, among whom he highlighted José Martí and his descriptions of Finland in the “Golden Age.” “, the Finnish poet Federika Bremmer, resident on the Island at the beginning of the 19th century, and the historian of Havana, Eusebio Leal, who paid tribute to the Finnish mambí, Fabian Fagerman among the figures recognized within the City Museum for his support internationalist. Testimony of this particular event was also offered at the event by Mr. Peter Fagerman, grandnephew of the man who rose to the rank of Captain in the Cuban Liberation Army and was awarded as a Hero of Cuba for his contribution to the “Necessary War” between 1892. -1895.
The Embassy received an original ICAIC poster by the renowned filmmakers Pentti Riutto and Pirkko Pasanen, belonging to their personal collection, at times of such a great event between both countries. Also flowers, greeting messages and the affection of those present at the event.
The cultural part of the event was enlivened by the “Baila Baila” school founded 30 years ago in Helsinki by a renowned member of the community of Cuban residents, whose dancers performed “Me Dicen Cuba” by Habana de Primera. The closing was offered by the Duo “Monte Adentro” made up of two Finnish musicians, Tero Toivanen and Peter Loman, trained in Cuba as part of the cultural-academic exchange projects existing in the 80s. A sample of images of Havana, from Renowned photographer and friend of Cuba, Risto Vuorimies, a former scholarship recipient in Cuba, also accompanied the celebration.
At the meeting, Cuba delivered to the Lippulaiva Library, venue of the event, a reproduction of Amelia Pélaez’s painting “Still Life” and expressed its gratitude for such effusive support to the celebration of the 95th Anniversary of Bilateral Relations between Cuba and Finland.
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