12 February 2022
As part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, the Embassy celebrated National Youth Day, on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary, and the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of India–Cuba diplomatic relations on 12 February 2022.
The event was attended by Mr. Alberto Blanco, Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, with Ms. Mariana Casanova Rogue and Mr. Abel Pérez García of the Asia and Oceania Division. Ms. Aymée del Carmen Chicuri Lastra, Art Curator at the National Museum of Fine Arts, gave a lecture on Swami Vivekananda and his inspiration to young people in Cuba. Representatives of the Ministry of Sports, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), the House of Asia and the Center for State Control of Medicines, Equipment and Medical Devices (CECMED) also attended.
The Ambassador thanked the Chief Guest and spoke about the milestones of India–Cuba relations, recalling that India was one of the first countries to recognise the new Cuban Government in 1959. He highlighted high-level exchanges between the two countries and the contribution of Swami Vivekananda, especially to young people.
Director Blanco thanked the Ambassador for the invitation to the celebration of the 62nd anniversary of diplomatic relations, coinciding with National Youth Day in India and the 75th anniversary of India’s independence. He spoke about the historical ties between the two countries, the development of natural and traditional medicine in Cuba with India’s support, and the spread of yoga in Cuba. He recalled the high-level visits between the two countries, most recently the visit of the President of India in 2018, and noted that Havana is the proud custodian of the monuments to Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore.
Because of the local COVID-19 restrictions, the event was held with a limited number of people, observing social distancing.
Last updated on: 19 October 2026