XVII Encounter of Cubans Residing in Europe begins in Italy

Rome, October 24. - The XVII Encounter of Cubans Residing in Europe (ECRE) begins today in Italy with a patriotic march through the streets of Rome to the embassy of that nation, where the inaugural event of this regional meeting will take place.

A statement from the event organizers indicates that the ECRE delegates will gather at 14:00 local time in front of the monument to the Italian hero Giuseppe Manzini, in the center of this capital, from where they will proceed to the headquarters of the diplomatic mission with Cuban flags and slogans against the economic blockade imposed by the United States on the Island.

That demonstration will be joined by participants in the IV Cuba va conmigo Cultural Festival, which promotes ties between that nation and its artists abroad, encompassing various expressions such as music, dance, painting, and literature—an event being held outside the Antillean country for the first time.

At the Cuban embassy, the inaugural ceremony of the seventeenth edition of the ECRE will take place at 15:30, beginning with a floral offering from the new generations before the bust of the national hero José Martí, whose phrase "With all and for the good of all" will be the theme of this encounter, which will run until October 26.

On January 28, during an activity in honor of Martí on the occasion of the 172nd anniversary of his birth, the call for this new regional meeting of Cubans was officially launched in Rome.

Olga Lídia Priel, vice coordinator of the associations of Cubans residing in Central and Southern Italy, stated on that occasion that those attending this meeting from across Europe will do so "united by love for the land that saw us born."

The XVII ECRE is taking place in the framework of the 130th anniversary of the national hero's death in combat, commemorated on May 19, and the upcoming centennial of the birth of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Commander in Chief Fidel Castro, to be celebrated on August 13, 2026.

It will be an opportunity to exchange on topics of common interest, regarding the functioning of associations of Cubans residing in Europe, and new cultural and solidarity projects will be presented, as well as initiatives for contributions to participation in the country's economic development.

The nation's relationship with emigration, new migration laws, the effects of the U.S. economic, commercial, and financial blockade against Cuba, and ways to denounce and confront it, as well as the media war against the Caribbean country, will also be addressed.

It will be a chance for the exchange of ideas and proposals aimed at strengthening ties with the Homeland of its residents abroad, as "our people need the greatest support and solidarity we are capable of providing," expressed Priel in calling for the event that begins today. (Text and photo: PL)