Doha, 12 Oct. 2022 (QT)
Ambassador of Haiti to Qatar, Jean-Marie François Guillaume II and Ambassador of Cuba to Qatar, Oscar Leon Gonzalez, jointly paid their tributes to their
national heroes, key personalities of Haiti and Cuba, Joseph Auguste Anténor Firmin, a Haitian barrister, philosopher, anthropologist, journalist, and politician
whose work is still considered relevant, and José Julián Martí Pérez, a Cuban nationalist turned national hero for his role in the liberation of his country from
Spain.
Both the Latin American countries’ ambassadors shed light on the contributions of the national heroes as they delivered lecture at the Qatar National Library on Wednesday during a book donation ceremony in the presence of Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library (QNL), ambassadors and guests.
Talking to Qatar Tribune, Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari said, 'We are strong believers in the role of culture and I am glad this occasion particularly reflects
the background of relations between the Arab and Latin American states'.
He said that writers in both the Latin American states had a deep study of Arab civilization, although they never travelled to the Arab region. “Qatar National Library is happy to organise today’s events. It’s not only to enhance cultural relations with Cuba and Haiti; we are very much happy to build strong cultural relations with all the continents,” he noted.
Dr Al-Kawari, in his address on the occasion, said, “Today, we celebrate culture by honouring two key figures from Latin America and the Caribbean who ymbolise culture through their thoughts, struggles and belief in their role in the liberation of man. We thank the embassies of Haiti and Cuba for their precious donation of a collection of books by these distinguished thinkers and activists, which will certainly enrich the collection at Qatar National Library and will
promote cultural dialogue and its role in overcoming political, national and ideological barriers between peoples.”
On his part, Francois Guillaume 11, the ambassador of Haiti, thanked Dr Al-Kawari for his support with this initiative. He said that ambassador of Cuba and he
himself were there to hopefully accomplish two main objectives: “to share some of our historical heritage by donating these books about our history; we sincerely hope that they will contribute to the library’s rich and resourceful collection; the second is to express our reverence to Qatar National Library, for their
accomplishment in building such an impressive literary structure”.
Oscar Gonzalez, the ambassador of Cuba said, “I would like to thank Dr. AlKawari for the support he and the library have given us. Their unceasing cultural and pedagogical work fosters dialogue between different cultures, which is conducive to the promotion of peace, cooperation, and solidarity among people. Let this
event serve as a celebration of culture, friendship, and cooperation. I hope that this meeting will make a modest contribution to the consolidation of the collaboration between Qatar National Library and the embassies of the Latin American and Caribbean countries accredited in Doha.”
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