Commemorating the 173rd birth anniversary of Cuban National Hero José Martí in Hanoi
WVR - On the morning of January 28, at Tao Dan Park (Hanoi), the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam, in collaboration with the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association and the Vietnam Alumni Club in Cuba, solemnly organized a ceremony to commemorate the 173rd birth anniversary of Hero José Martí – an outstanding thinker, revolutionary, and spiritual symbol of Cuba's struggle for independence in the late 19th century.
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| Monument of Cuban National Hero José Martí at Tao Dan Park - Hanoi. (Photo: Pham Truong) |
In a solemn atmosphere, the Cuban national anthem resonated in the heart of Hanoi, evoking the history of the Caribbean island's courageous and resilient struggle against oppression and injustice.
For the Cuban people, José Martí is “the Apostle of Independence”. He not only laid the foundation for Cuba's national liberation movement but was also one of the earliest voices in Latin America to criticize the oppressive nature of imperialism and affirm the self-determination rights of smaller nations. This profound ideology has made his legacy transcend Cuba's borders.
José Martí's ideology has become a shared ideal for many nations that have experienced war, colonialism, and the struggle for independence, including Vietnam.
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| Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes speaking at the ceremony. (Photo: Pham Truong) |
Speaking at the ceremony, Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes emphasized that Hero José Martí is the “thread” connecting the historical relationship between the two countries.
According to the Ambassador, as early as the 19th century, through his thoughts and works, José Martí helped Cubans better understand the Vietnamese people.
These were resilient struggles, a rich cultural identity, and the extraordinary ability of the Vietnamese people to defeat foreign invaders.
“Therefore, for Cuba and Vietnam, José Martí embodies the ideals of independence and patriotism – values that have and continue to bind our two nations,” the Ambassador affirmed.
Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes also mentioned a historically symbolic coincidence: The day José Martí heroically sacrificed for Cuba's independence, May 19, 1895, coincides with the birth of President Ho Chi Minh – the great leader of the Vietnamese nation.
Two individuals from different continents yet aligned in revolutionary thought and action: both laid the foundation for revolutionary parties and fought tirelessly for their people's independence.
The Ambassador believes that from this historic meeting, today's generations of Cubans and Vietnamese have continued to nurture and transform the historical relationship into a special friendship, closely bonded in the present and looking towards a long-term future for both nations.
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| A large number of representatives from organizations, veterans, and Vietnamese alumni who studied in Cuba attended the commemoration. (Photo: Pham Truong) |
Also at the ceremony, Ms. Phuong Song Lien, Head of the Vietnam Alumni Club in Cuba, affirmed the core meeting point between the ideologies of Hero José Martí and President Hồ Chí Minh is the spirit of liberating nations from the oppression of imperialism.
“Both leaders asserted that imperialism has never been and will never be the savior for peace-loving nations worldwide. Each nation must find its own path to liberation. Only then will independence and freedom truly be complete for a nation,” Ms. Lien emphasized.
From nearly two centuries ago to the present, Vietnam and Cuba continue to demonstrate the vitality of this ideology through their historical realities.
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| Architect Dao Hoang Thanh sharing at the commemoration. (Photo: To Uyen) |
The ceremony was also attended by many Vietnamese who have lived and worked in this small island nation. Sharing with The World & Vietnam Report, architect Dao Hoang Thanh, who spent many years studying in Cuba, affirmed that participating in activities related to Cuba is not merely a ceremonial presence for him.
“For all activities related to the Cuban people, I always feel it is both a responsibility and a voluntary act from the heart. I have studied and grown up with the affection of the Cuban people,” he said.
According to him, the Vietnam-Cuba solidarity is a special, rare relationship in modern international relations because it is built not only on interests but on sharing and sacrifice.
“I studied in Cuba during the golden period from 1967 to 1974. In 2016, when I returned, I visited friends across various provinces in Cuba, organized gatherings, hosted a feast, and gave practical gifts like balm, soap, fabric... Although these were small gifts, they carried deep affection,” Mr. Thanh shared.
He emotionally added: “To me, Cuba is like blood brothers, always in my heart, in the hearts of those who have studied there, and in the hearts of the Vietnamese people.”
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| Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam, representatives of friendship organizations, and Vietnamese veterans taking a commemorative photo at the ceremony. (Photo: Pham Truong) |
Originating from José Martí's ideological legacy, the Vietnam-Cuba solidarity is formed not only from history but also from a shared choice of core values of independence and autonomy.
Thus, the commemoration of José Martí's birth anniversary in Hanoi is not only a reminder of the past but also an affirmation for the present and future: The special relationship between the two nations will continue to be preserved and developed through brotherly affection, steadfastness, and long-term cooperation amidst a world of many changes.
