Last Friday, 7 February 2020, Grenadian students studying in the various Provinces in Cuba arrived in Havana to celebrate Grenada’s 46th year of Independence.

On Saturday the day started with students participating in their usual outdoor and indoor games while availing themselves of the opportunity to socialise with each other. There was also a steelpan performance by youth from the Caribbean Association, an organisation made up of persons of Caribbean descent.

The formal ceremony commenced at 7:30 pm attended by Gustavo Véliz Olivares – Director for Central America, Mexico and Caribbean Affairs at the Ministry of External Affairs (MINREX), Former Cuban Ambassador to Grenada, María Caridad Balaguer and her husband, other Cuban officials and Cubans of Grenadian descent.

The evening’s programme chaired by Dr Petra Francis, included speeches from the attending dignitaries, the feature address by Ambassador, Her Excellency Claris Charles, presentation of awards to five students, followed by cultural performances by students.

At the ceremony, Ambassador Charles received a special award from the five students from the province of Pinar Del Rio who will be graduating later this year. They expressed their gratitude  for her guidance, support and motherly love that she gave to them over their years spent in Cuba.

To bring the curtains down on the weekend celebrations, the students attended the annual independence dance which attracted students from other Caribbean islands and Africa.

The following students received awards for exceptional academic performance in 2019: Deslyn Narine, Shanta S Harford, and Keishona Passee