Why we signed cultural protocol with Nigeria – Cuban Ambassador

This agreement has to do with cooperation for mutual benefit between our two governments in the field of culture and definitely between our two people and it comprises exchange of experience and exchange of groups in the different areas of the arts, to participate in each other’s festivals. Also, relations between our different institutions in […]

This agreement has to do with cooperation for mutual benefit between our two governments in the field of culture and definitely between our two people and it comprises exchange of experience and exchange of groups in the different areas of the arts, to participate in each other’s festivals. Also, relations between our different institutions in terms of exchange of scholars, students, lecturers and so on. It’s a wide range of areas.

What actually prompted the signing of this agreement?

Well, it was long overdue. The first agreement was signed in 1981, so this is rather a kind of updating. Sometimes you have an agreement and it expires so you have to update it. Our cultural relations go back more than 30 years and what prompted this was the urgency and need to strengthen it because of the cultural and historical links between Nigeria and Cuba.  We want to concretize this and we want to benefit one another in the cultural area. So that’s what prompted the two countries to sit and sign this agreement.

But is it not rather surprising that given the historical ties between these two countries dating back to the slave trade era there hasn’t been strong cultural ties between the two?

There have been. Actually, Nigerians have participated in Cuban festivals and they have done very well. Cuban artistes have visited Nigeria as well. But I think I will agree with you that it hasn’t been as strong as it should and that’s why on this framework of this agreement we will move forward. It’s not that it’s surprising. It’s just that when you consider the distance, we tend to take it for granted that we relate culturally.

But this protocol provides a framework for corporation between the arts, culture and educational institutions. It also supports the exchange of artistes and artistic groups within the framework of festivals and international events, especially in the areas of theatre and dance ensembles. And also, there would be promotional heritage and exhibitions like film weeks and all other areas of culture. The protocol is very inclusive and I think the two countries will benefit a lot.

The practice of Santeria which combines Catholicism and traditional Yoruba worship rituals is quite popular in Cuba. What more can you tell us about it?

Well, Santeria means the mixture of the traditional beliefs of the slaves taken to the so called new world with the Spanish Catholic religion and that brought about Santeria in some countries like Cuba and other countries and you find references to Sango and other religious figures.

Cuba is famous for its music. Can you tell us more about that and how it would reflect on the agreement?

Yes, yes, music definitely will be a very important part of this agreement. Cubans are a musical people. I think there is a musician in every Cuban and Cuban musicians are in all aspects of music; the so called popular music, salsa music and classical music, band, rocks and so on. I know also of Nigerian musicians, very good musicians. We can have them come to our festivals and have Cuban musicians participate in Nigerian festivals. This is one area I am very excited about.

So how soon can we start seeing this on the ground?

This is something that has to be implemented. This is only a government to government agreement, it is now left to the institutions, the Ministry of Culture and other institutions related to the different areas. I think there is willingness on both sides to start as soon as possible because this protocol is a framework for other specific agreements to be signed with specific terms. This is only a general agreement and it’s like a green light from the government and it’s left to the institutions to start and move forward. This year, we should see a number of things happening.

Does signing this agreement now have anything to do with the changes in Cuba?

No, not at all. This agreement is something that has been there and before signing, it has to be analysed and this took some time. It has nothing to do with the changes in Cuba. What is happening now in Cuba is a process of actualising and updating our economic and social model, keeping socialism as our political philosophy but looking at it in a more analytic way. And it’s very important to know that before now, these guidelines were discussed with each and every citizen in factories, in schools, etc.

So can we now say that Cuba is having a cultural revival after the 1959 Revolution, which it is said, has suppressed culture and religion?

No, no, no. The 1959 Revolution didn’t suppress culture. The culture was suppressed before. The revolution liberated culture, liberated education and health and a lot of things. That’s why the revolution took place and this agreement is a result of the 1959 Revolution. We have agreements also with other countries. In Cuba, any cultural event is very inexpensive to attend. There are many schools for all areas of culture free.

It has been said that religion especially was suppressed and different groups of Cubans were prevented from fully expressing their cultures.

No, no, no. There was complete freedom in Cuba. All those things you hear are fabricated. Most people in Cuba are Christians but there are so many denominations that operate freely. The pope visited Cuba some years ago and the visit was a success. There is no problem in Cuba.