Namibia, March 1st, 2021- The Ambassador of Cuba to Namibia, Sidenio Acosta, and the Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Hon. Ester Anna Nghipondoka, signed in Windhoek, capital of this African country, a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the spheres of Arts and Culture.
The agreement will enable collaboration in areas such as cultural exchange, technical assistance, research, artistic promotion, exchange of experiences, protection of cultural heritage and combating the trafficking of works of art, among others. Similarly, 12 artistic manifestations of common interest have been identified, among which are “artistic and craft exhibitions; music, dance and theatre presentations; photography exhibitions, film exhibitions and film production; development of cultural tourism; and research in arts and culture”.
During the signing ceremony, Minister Nghipondoka, who is also a member of the Namibian National Assembly, highlighted the excellent and historic relations between Cuba and Namibia. Likewise, she expressed her approval for the signing of the Memorandum, which will strengthen and diversify those ties.
The Namibian leader highlighted the cultural ties that unite both peoples, strengthened during the struggle for the Independence of Namibia, where Cubans and Namibians fought together. In this sense, she evoked the permanence of Cuban songs, such as “La Guantanamera”, in the taste of the Namibian people.
Ambassador Acosta, for his part, highlighted the excellent state of the brotherhood ties that unite Cuba and Namibia. In correspondence with this, he extolled the symbolism of the signing of this agreement this month, when, on March 21, the 31st Anniversary of the Independence of Namibia and the official establishment of relations between the two countries are celebrated. Similarly, he agreed with the Minister on the importance of the new agreement to promote and diversify bilateral cooperation in the sphere of Culture and the Arts.
The Cuban diplomat also thanked the Government and the people of Namibia for their historical and unconditional support to Cuba in the fight against the economic, commercial and financial blockade of the United States. The minister reaffirmed the commitment of her country to the Cuban cause.
The signing ceremony was developed in an atmosphere of brotherhood. On the Namibian side, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, the Deputy Director of Arts, other officials of that Ministry and the Director of West Africa and America of the local Foreign Ministry also participated. Aldo Luis Fuentes, Second Secretary of the Cuban Embassy, and Juan Carlos Oliva, Economic and Commercial Counsellor, accompanied the Cuban Ambassador.
