Jamaican, Cuban culture on display by the sea
Feasting and dancing in a fusion of Jamaican and Cuban culture was a standout at the Jamaica-Cuba Friendship Association’s (JCFA) celebration of the 65th anniversary of the 1953 attack on the Moncada Garrison in Cuba. The event was held on Saturday, July 28 at Strawberry Fields, Robin’s Bay, St Mary.
But the meaning behind the moment was what resonated with the Jamaica Observer, when the newspaper spoke with patrons and other special guests at the event.
Members of the diplomatic community from Cuba and Venezuela, as well as Cuban and Jamaicans residents and those who share dual heritage, gathered in observation of the historic attack.
Celebrated as Cuba’s Día de la Rebeldía Nacional (National Day of Rebellion), the holiday is recognised as an important plank of the Cuban Revolution, and is celebrated from July 26-27.
The lawns and beach of the pristine cliff side were peppered with celebrants, who enjoyed a wide array of local and Cuban cuisine and jived to an interplay of Afro-Latina music. By way of intermission, a brief ceremony was held where special guests and members of the JCFA shared perspectives on the legacy of the Cuban Revolution. This was followed by the cutting of a cake decorated with the Jamaican and Cuban flags side by side.
Consul at the Cuban Embassy, Rigoberto Zarza spoke to strong diplomatic ties between Jamaica and Cuba and the significance of Jamaicans celebrating the Cuban national holiday.
“We are here gathering with Jamaicans in solidarity with Cuba. There is long-standing relations between our governments and our people. Many Cubans have been living here for years and there are many Jamaicans who graduated in Cuba. Many Jamaicans used to travel to Cuba in order to work in the sugar cane plantations.
“So we are close neighbours. We helped each other in the good and bad moments and we are really happy in enjoying this time together,” said Zarza.
He also explained that the attack on the Moncada Garrison, which was an enclave of military barracks operated under the Administration of then leader of Cuba, Fulgencio Batista, was led by Fidel Castro, now deceased, along with 131 revolutionary men and two women.
Although the attack failed, it is still seen as a precursor to the triumph of the revolution six years later, in 1959.
President of the JCFA, Trevor Brown also highlighted the significance of the attack, stating that: “If it wasn’t for this early action of challenging Batista, I don’t think we would have seen the Cuban Revolution.”
Brown, who is also a representative for the solidarity movement in Jamaica, also underlined the strong ties between Jamaicans and Cubans celebrating the Cuban national holiday.
Anna Carina Hernandez, consul at the Venezuelan Embassy, recalled that the attack had a ripple effect throughout the region during that time.
“It’s an important day for Cuba and all Latin American people. The attack was an inspiration for old Latin America and all the revolutionary movements at the time.“
The same was true for countries among the fledgling Caribbean nations during that period who had to gauge diplomatic ties with a Castro-led Administration.
Brown spoke to the fact that the association also celebrates Caricom Day in recognition of the solidarity of Caribbean countries with Cuba.
“We (JCFA) also celebrate Caricom Day. In 1974 four Caribbean nations — Jamaica, Guyana, Barbados and Trinidad — decided to go against the United States’ wish to isolate Cuba and established diplomatic relations with Cuba”.
Retired principal of Paul Bogle High School in St Thomas Cardovan Jackson, who described himself as a friend of Cuba, said: “I am proud as a Jamaican that even when other countries were not so friendly with Cuba, that the majority of Jamaicans always saw Cuba as our neighbour and friend. So, this is like having a family coming together.”
July 28 also coincided with the birth date of late Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez.
“There is a vibrant solidarity movement still here in Jamaica, and a big association of Cubans who have Jamaica as their home; Maybe about 3,000 of them live here. So, there are Cuban residents here in Jamaica and there are Jamaicans who have studied in Cuba.”
Senior medical officer at the Annotto Bay Hospital, Dr Ray Fraser, was among the first group of students awarded scholarships to study in Cuba, under the bilateral arrangement between Jamaica and Cuba in 1978. He shared his experience as a Jamaican studying in the new-look nation at the time.
“As a student coming from Jamaica and hearing certain comments, I was surprised to see the level of development in Cuba; the level of infrastructure, civility, high quality of medical care and education system; also, the level of discipline, dedication, resolute love for country and the benevolence towards other countries.”
Still serving the land of his birth after completing his studies in Cuba 24 years ago, Dr Fraser continues to be a friend of Cuba through JCFA.
People’s National Party caretaker for St Mary South Eastern Dr Shane Alexis, who also studied medicine in Cuba, hailed the progress that the Spanish-speaking socialist country has made in many areas of its national development and its international generosity.
Today, Cuba continues to be one of the leading countries in health care in the region, and arguably, the world, ranking among the best in the world in number of physicians per capita.