This is the image of Cuba and Bulgaria, as reflected in a simple and memorable manner in a song popularized by the Bulgarian singer and songwriter Biser Kirov; an endearing friend of Cuba.

A song that for years has been sung by generations of Cubans and Bulgarians, who have seen themselves reflected in the symbiosis of a machete and a rose: Resistance and Friendship.

These are, without a doubt, two common values ​​that have left an imperishable mark on the historical relations between the peoples of Cuba and Bulgaria. Two values ​​that have also had a significant impact on the course of the political processes that led to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Cuba and the Republic of Bulgaria, on October 14, 1960.

For Cuba that important event, whose 60th Anniversary we commemorated on October 14, 2020, was and continues to be a symbol of resistance and friendship.

Friendship brought the eminent Cuban poet Nicolás Guillén to the then silent streets of Plovdiv, where he wrote, in 1961, his "Little Ballad to Plovdiv"; a deep and beautiful song to friendship transformed into love that transcends time.

In the name of friendship, in 1972 and 1976, the Bulgarian people welcomed the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, who brought to Sofia the message of resistance and friendship from the Cuban people.

Inspired by friendship, a bust of Vasil Levski was unveiled in 1981 in the Cuban city of Cienfuegos. That monument is the oldest among of the twenty so far dedicated to the Apostle of Bulgaria abroad.

For sixty years, generations of Cuban-Bulgarian families have established connections of friendship, which allowed Cubans to learn the language of Cyril and Methodius, and to better understand the nature of the Bulgarian people, a people that, although small, still shows "yes" and "no" by shaking their heads in the opposite way as the rest of the world does, to show their resistance and refusal to be a slave.

For the six decades of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Bulgaria they have honored the best traditions of friendship, respect, and cooperation between our respective peoples and governments.

Many years have passed since that October 14, 1960. A considerable part of them were spent in a distance that neither of our two peoples wanted.

But these 60 years have only reaffirmed the mutual identification of the peoples of Cuba and Bulgaria with vicissitudes and stories, with sacrifices and joys, with emotions and satisfactions, with friendship and resistance; the same values ​​on which diplomatic relations between our two countries were built six decades ago.

For decades the economic and commercial ties between Cuba and Bulgaria gave a special dynamism to the excellent diplomatic relations existing between our peoples and governments. Today and in the future ahead, we will have much to do and will continue doing our best to identify and develop mutually beneficial economic, trade and investment relations between our two countries. The sectors of agriculture, mining, biotechnology, renewable energy, tourism, construction, among others, offer specific possibilities for new projects and exchanges.

Bilateral exchanges in the cultural, academic and educational areas, as well as bilateral projects in the field of translation services and knowledge deserve dynamization and strengthening. Our peoples are heirs of culture and ideas which will guide us towards more noble goals.

Year 2020 has left a deep mark on Humanity, devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic. In Cuba we believe that solidarity and humanism should, as never before, guide our future diplomatic actions and bilateral collaboration.

Let us contribute as nations and as human beings globalize solidarity!

Long Live Cuba and Bulgaria!

The photo was provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in the Republic of Bulgaria. On it: H. E. Ms. Mrs. Caridad Yamira Cueto Milián, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to the Republic of Bulgaria