GOVERNOR General Sir Arthur Foulkes and Lady Foulkes will be in Mathew Town, Inagua, this weekend with other dignitaries for the unveiling of a monument in commemoration of the visit to that island in 1895 of Cuban liberator Jose Marti.
The project, which was initiated by Sir Arthur several years ago, has now resulted in the creation of a monument by noted Cuban sculptor Tomas Lara Franquis, and on Saturday morning it will be jointly unveiled by Sir Arthur and Cuban Ambassador Ernesto Soberon.
Jose Marti was the principal leader of the Cuban War of Independence from Spain and this year is the 160th anniversary of his birth.
Marti, who is celebrated in North and South America, was also a noted philosopher, journalist, lawyer and poet. He opposed slavery and colonialism and advocated the equality of all men regardless of race or colour.
After writing his historic Manifesto of Montecristi in the Dominican Republic where he was a fugitive from the Spanish, Marti went to Inagua with five of his comrades. He was at first arrested by British authorities, but then released.
On April 11, 1895 in Mathew Town, he acquired a dinghy and persuaded the captain of a German ship which was in port at the time to take him and his comrades across to Cuba. They joined the uprising which had already started and Marti was killed in battle.
Among those going to Inagua for the unveiling will be Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell; Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government V Alfred Gray; Manuel Rojas Gutierrez, Cuban Deputy Minister of Culture; and Ernesto Soberon Guzman, Ambassador of Cuba.
Comments
TalRussell 11 years, 8 months ago
Comrade Governor-General Arthur is helping to further implement yet another PLP government's program, of "putting Bahamians first? Who in hell footed the bill for this?
Didn't another close friend of Cuba, the murderous ruthless Syrian president, also take time out to honor Comrade Jose?
Why stop with a monument when there is always the issuing of a commemoration postage stamp?
Didn't Papa Doc that other murderous president of Haiti have strong ties to Inagua?
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2013…
TalRussell 11 years, 8 months ago
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2013…
Ironvelvet 11 years, 8 months ago
I'm with you TalRussell. This is wasteful madness! I had to make myself read pass the first few lines. And in Inagua, how many people will see this? We are not in a surplus and we are not in a time where the country doesn't have other issues that need to be addressed.
Sir Arthur, use your time and lobbying efforts more wisely please.
TalRussell 11 years, 8 months ago
Comrade even after we can establish who in hell is paying for this monument and footing the expenses of all them traveling dignitaries, I still cannot wrap my head around how this Cuban became the most famous of all Inagua residents, to be so honoured?
Seems they must have had serious trouble making their final pick, to have selected some Cuban. Please Comrade Governor-General Arthur, can you be so kind as to share the list you selected from? I'm betting it was not some extensive list? Try a list of one of long-dead Cuban national.
More shocking is, the GG had the balls to have gone public with his nonsenses.
.
MartGM 11 years, 8 months ago
I believe the monument was paid for by the Cuban Embassy.
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