As part of the event, an evening gathering was held on they presence of Cuban ambassador to Italy, Jorge Luis Cepero, and other officials from the diplomatic mission, as well as representatives of political groups, solidarity associations, and Cubans living in Italy.

  Dance performances were given by Italy-based Cuban dance instructors Irma Castillo and Lazaro Martin Diaz, featuring students from their respective schools; other activities included a screening of the 2017 feature film *Sergio & Sergei*.

  In his remarks, Cuban ambassador noted that to understand the reality his country faces today, one must admit that for over six decades, it has been “the victim of a sustained, multidimensional war aimed at bringing an entire people to their knees through hunger and deprivation.”

  Cepero stated that this inhumane policy has intensified since January with a fuel blockade—tantamount to a naval blockade—designed to strangle the national economy and deliberately worsen the living conditions of millions of Cubans, in violation of human rights.

  Compounding the economic, commercial, financial, and energy blockade are repeated threats of direct military aggression by the US government, “which would trigger a bloodbath and massive loss of Cuban and American lives,” he emphasized.

  The diplomat thanked the festival organizers for the days dedicated to Cuba—including those scheduled for July 25 and 26—in honor of the 71st anniversary of the attacks on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes barracks, events of immense historical and political significance for his country.

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