Serbia and Cuba have signed an agreement aimed at preventing the illegal trade of cultural property, the Serbian government has announced.
The agreement was signed by Serbia’s Minister of Culture, Nikola Selaković, and Cuba’s Minister of Culture, Alpidio Alonso Grau, during the 67th International Book Fair, where Cuba is the guest of honor.
Grau expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to showcase the true system of values Cuba upholds at such a significant event as the Belgrade Book Fair.
“I don’t know if any other Latin American country has had the honor of being a guest of honor here. This pride is further amplified by the fact that October 20th is Cuba’s Cultural Day, the day we gained independence in 1888,” said Grau, adding that several contemporary Cuban authors would be featured at the fair.
He emphasized that despite economic hardships, the Cuban people have remained devoted to culture:
“The culture we so fiercely defend remains at the heart of our people. It reflects all the values that emerged from the revolution and which we continue to uphold today, despite sanctions. We, the Cuban people, have managed to preserve a system of values rooted in education and culture.”
Following their formal statements, Selaković and Grau exchanged symbolic gifts — a portrait of Nikola Tesla and a sculpture by a contemporary Cuban artist. They then attended the opening of the Belgrade Book Fair and visited the Cuban pavilion at the event.
Photo: Minister of Culture