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| Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense and Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes and delegates performed the statue inauguration ceremony. |
The statue is over 3 meters high, consisting of 5 characters realistically depicting the support activities of Cuban military experts in treating wounded soldiers for Vietnam during the fierce days on the Quang Tri battlefield. In the front view, a Cuban military doctor is wholeheartedly treating a wounded Vietnamese soldier - a touching image, symbolizing the spirit of sharing hardships and the silent dedication of Cuban doctors and medical staff on the front line of fire and bullets.
On the opposite side, the Vietnamese soldiers appeared resilient: one soldier was carrying a wounded soldier, one was standing guard, and one was ready to fight. All blended together in a vivid picture of comradeship and strong fighting friendship.
Admiring the work, Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes was moved to hug sculptor Le Dinh Bao. Through an interpreter, he said: “I am very moved and thank you, comrade. I am very happy for the meaningful work that you have created.”
Both stood silently looking at the work engraved with the words: “Vietnam – Cuba Solidarity and Friendship”. Sculptor Le Dinh Bao shared that the image of leader Fidel Castro was the profound inspiration for him to conceive and complete this work.
During his historic visit to the liberated area of Quang Tri in 1973, the moment when Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro raised the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam on Hill 241 became an immortal symbol of the noble international spirit. Previously, in January 1966, leader Fidel had strongly affirmed: “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to sacrifice its own blood.”
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| Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes and sculptor Le Dinh Bao. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
“I love Cuba very much, even though I have never been there. Therefore, when I was assigned to make the gratitude statues, I felt extremely happy and put all my heart and effort into completing them as best as I could. I always hope that the solidarity between our two peoples will last forever, as strong as this bronze statue - a living artistic testament to the Vietnam - Cuba friendship. If I have the opportunity, I will definitely visit my beloved Cuba,” sculptor Le Dinh Bao emotionally shared with the Cuban Ambassador.
“You should definitely visit Cuba. We always welcome you. I am deeply moved to know that you have such deep and special feelings for the country and people of Cuba,” Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes emotionally responded.
Sharing about the process of forming the idea for the work, sculptor Le Dinh Bao recounted:
One day in mid-July, he received an invitation from the Vietnam Military History Museum and the Ministry of National Defense to participate in the construction of a sculpture - a monument to honor international experts and soldiers who fought alongside the Vietnamese people in two resistance wars.
“At that time, the Museum leadership asked us if we could come up with a design plan within 20 days. This was a real challenge, but with deep gratitude and a sense of responsibility, my colleagues and I pondered and thought a lot,” Mr. Bao shared.
“The Vietnam People’s Army has gone through two arduous resistance wars to gain victory. When the Ministry of National Defense entrusted us with the task, we told ourselves: there is no reason not to do it,” he affirmed.
With that belief, sculptor Le Dinh Bao and his colleagues worked tirelessly day and night, devoting all their heart and soul to creating the work. “This work expresses gratitude, love and deep respect for international soldiers – those who sacrificed, accompanied and supported the Vietnamese people during the difficult years,” he said emotionally.
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| Close-up of 3 sides of the statue cluster. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Sculptor Le Dinh Bao said that the construction of the statue cluster in gratitude to Cuban military experts is a meaningful and humane gesture of the Party, State and Ministry of National Defense. Not only does it contribute to promoting and educating about the special and loyal relationship between the two peoples of Vietnam and Cuba, the project is also a strong message to international friends: the Vietnamese people always keep in mind the pure affection that brotherly countries have given us in the most difficult times.
Sharing about the content of the work, Mr. Bao said that the inspiration came from the fierce battle in Quang Tri - where Cuba provided much practical support to Vietnam. The statues recreate emotional moments, reflecting the spirit of solidarity and side-by-side fighting between two countries that are geographically distant but close in ideals and humanity.
At the foot of the statue, a plaque is solemnly attached with the famous saying of President Ho Chi Minh: "Vietnam and Cuba, although geographically far apart, have complete moral unity."
During the creation process, Sculptor Le Dinh Bao was provided with many documents and directions on the content to be conveyed by the Vietnam Military History Museum. However, according to him, to fully express the depth of the work, the artist not only needs documents but also a foundation of knowledge, emotions and experiences accumulated over a lifetime of work.
“To create such a statue, it is not enough to just read documents for one or two days. It is the crystallization of a long-standing knowledge base and accumulated dedication,” Mr. Bao shared.
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| First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and his wife offer flowers at the Vietnam-Cuba Solidarity and Friendship Statue. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
During his visit to Vietnam and attendance at the 80th National Day celebration, First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and his wife, Senior Lieutenant General Álvaro López Miera, Minister of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, laid flowers at the Vietnam-Cuba Solidarity and Friendship Statue.
Throughout the history of resistance for national independence and reunification, the Vietnamese people have always received the sincere, loyal and effective help of countries and international friends, including Cuba - comrades and friends who have spared no effort, wealth and even blood for the independence and peace of Vietnam.
That support is not only a great material resource but also a priceless source of spiritual encouragement, contributing to the great victory of the Vietnamese revolution.
Previously, on August 29, the Ministry of National Defense organized the installation of plaques to pay tribute to military experts, including Cuban experts and other international soldiers. The cluster of works is located at the Vietnam Military History Museum (Xuan Phuong Ward, Hanoi). Along with the installation of a plaque for the cluster of statues of Cuban military experts, the Ministry of National Defense also organized the installation of a plaque for the cluster of statues of Soviet military experts and the placement of symbolic stones for the cluster of statues of Chinese military experts and Lao and Cambodian international soldiers. The organization of the plaque installation at this cluster of statues aims to acknowledge and express gratitude for the support and assistance of international friends for the cause of national liberation, national reunification and protection of the Vietnamese Fatherland. |
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-cuba-tu-tri-an-den-tinh-doan-ket-nghin-nam-ben-vung-326964.html
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