Solidarity and Respect for Venezuela at Tertulia de la Matanceridad.
La Tertulia de la Matanceridad opened the year commemorating the Corazón Adentro Culture Mission in a tribute of solidarity with the people of Venezuela.
The Matanceridad Gathering opened the year by commemorating the Corazón Adentro (Heart Within) Culture Mission in solidarity with the people of Venezuela.
Its host, Leo García Ramos, first vice president of UNEAC (National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba), invited artists and writers from Matanzas who participated in this beautiful project, conceived by Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez, to pay tribute to Martí’s ideals at the statue of Bolívar, and also to heroes like the Venezuelan Carlos Aponte, who fell at El Morrillo alongside Antonio Guiteras Holmes.
Moving memories of the sister nation were shared by artists Mae Roque and Cecilia Soto, musician Reynaldo Montalvo, and advisor Margarita Oliva.
Mae said, «I wish I were there now. My time in Vargas was a learning experience and taught me to love our homeland with even greater intensity.»
Cecilia expressed that she felt excited and useful in Anzoátegui state, working alongside Efrahim Pérez Izquierdo and Lídice Silva, among others, and that she also became ill frequently, acknowledging that every act is inherently human.
Reynaldo Montalvo recounted how he often felt at home in Caracas, despite the Mission’s necessary security restrictions, because he would boldly slip away and sing in the streets and markets.
Margarita Oliva described her experience as incredible, noting how much she missed the bay in Portuguesa state. It was very hot. She coordinated the missions at the municipal level, working with Cuban intellectuals from various provinces.
She lived through the terrible event of Chávez’s death and remained connected to the people at all times, along with the other collaborators.
Also sharing their thoughts on this fabulous land were Dr. Francisco Ramírez Betancourt, physician and poet José Lázaro Dean, and Professor Rita Martínez.
There were verses inspired by this coherent struggle of feelings, born from the ideals of men and women passionate about «Our America.»
Conservator Leonel Pérez Orozco spoke about the Office’s plans for this year, linked to joint projects with Italy, which will have an excellent impact on the city’s heritage development.
Music filled the institution in the melodious and warm voice of Maestro Montalvo, accompanied by the incomparable Anneris Cánovas.
I don’t know if it was due to the atmosphere of love, respect, and spirit of service to humanity that envelops our two peoples, but this Matanceridad Gathering of January 2026, a show of solidarity and condemnation of the U.S. government’s imperialist stance against the Bolivarian land, became one of the most moving events held at the UNEAC Social Center in recent times.
Written by María Elena Bayón.
