The José Martí Valencian Association of Friendship with Cuba experienced a week of intense solidarity and cultural activity, taking the opportunity to denounce the “silent genocide” against the island.
In a report sent to Prensa Latina, the organization highlighted its participation in the 7th edition of the *Música por la Integración* (Music for Integration) festival, organized by the Cantarranes association in Benimàmet.
The events provided a platform to denounce the silent genocide the United States is inflicting upon the Cuban people, as well as to assert the sovereignty of the largest of the Antilles and defend the legacy of its revolutionary process through a film screening and discussion and a round-table discussion.
The first activity featured the documentary *ESBEC 37*, produced by Poble Íntegre and directed by Alex. It tells the story of 600 young people from Burkina Faso who were educated in Cuba, tracing the life-changing journey of one of the participants, Nebon Babou.
The subsequent discussion, moderated by David Rodríguez of the José Martí Valencian Association of Friendship with Cuba, opened a debate on the need to redouble internationalist solidarity and fight against the lingering effects of colonialism in the present day.
Next, a round-table discussion titled “Effects of Imperialism in the Current Moment” was held. Participants included CIM Burkina, CEAR, and the president of the José Martí Valencian Association of Friendship with Cuba, Rocío Raya.
Raya contextualized Cuba’s colonial history and U.S. imperialism over time, focusing on the severe current consequences of the economic and energy blockade, as well as actions civil society can take to help.
A special moment occurred on Wednesday, September 16, with a historic concert by the legendary troubadour Silvio Rodríguez, who turned the evening into an unforgettable night for a capacity crowd of thousands who had traveled from various cities across the Valencian region. In the presence of Cubans residing in the Valencian Community, solidarity activists from various organizations, and admirers of Cuban culture in general, Silvio Rodríguez performed songs that have accompanied the personal histories and activism of different generations.
The singer-songwriter also conveyed direct messages condemning the genocide against the Palestinian and Cuban peoples—always with the poetic beauty and social commitment that characterize him, sources noted.
The event, which opened with a performance by Cuban troubadour Ismael de la Torre, was a resounding success; the varied repertoire saw the singing of classic choruses interspersed with chants of “Long live Cuba,” “Down with the blockade,” “Long live Che,” “Allende,” “Free Palestine,” and “Cuba Yes, Blockade No.”
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA ]
