Islamabad, 10 July 2026. A workshop entitled “Fidel: the driving force for solidarity” officially opened the series of activities at the Cuban Embassy in this capital to commemorate the centenary of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, which will run until August.The event was attended by members of the accredited diplomatic corps, including the Vietnamese Ambassador, the South African High Commissioner and officials from the Russian Embassy, as well as solidarity groups such as the Pakistan-Cuba Social Forum, the Association of Pakistani Doctors Graduated in Cuba and the Federation of Progressive Students, alongside intellectuals and businesspeople. In particular, young Pakistanis who have been selected to study medicine in Cuba attended.
The event began with a speech by the Ambassador, Damián Cordero, who highlighted the opportunity to remember Fidel and, at the same time, to celebrate the recent victory at the United Nations in favour of Cuba against the US blockade, with the support of friendly countries, whose representatives were present, and whom he thanked for their invaluable commitment.
The ambassador highlighted Fidel’s legacy in all its dimensions and, in particular, elaborated on his concept of solidarity and its practical expression in the humanitarian work carried out by Cuban personnel in the most remote corners of the world.
The keynote speaker was Dr Sohaib Haider, president of the Association of Pakistani Doctors Graduated in Cuba, who spoke at length about his experiences whilst studying in Cuba and what he learnt beyond medicine itself, in terms of commitment and human values. The event also fostered a productive exchange between participants from various Cuba solidarity groups on ways to promote more effective solidarity work.
The screening of Roberto Chile’s documentary “On the Hillsides of the Himalayas” had a profound emotional impact on the audience. The film depicts the humanitarian efforts of the Cuban medical staff from the “Henry Reeve” contingent as they provided care to residents of the Pakistani mountains in the wake of the earthquake that struck the country in 2005.
The gathering concluded with a musical performance featuring an original rendition of ‘La Guantanamera’ and a group photograph that speaks volumes about how much Fidel remains Fidel for Cuba and for the world.
