CUBA, February 19, 2009. Ireland’s Foreign Minister Micheál Martin praised on Thursday in Havana the cooperation Project of the Irish Non-Governmental Organization Una Corda (One String), for the repair of pianos for Cuba. I think, he said, this is a good example of the cultural bonds exiting between the two nations, which can be developed even more, particularly in the sphere of music. The director of the Culture Ministry’s International Cooperation Center, Felipe Vázquez, pointed out that the project is of great importance for Cuban music, schools in this sector, the training of youngsters, and cultural performances. He explained that the social impact is equally significant, because it helps recover the profession of piano tuners, traditionally performed on the archipelago by visually impaired or blind people. He added that the project will make it possible for people with these eye problems to resume this work. Cuban maestro Jesús “Chucho” Valdés praised the efforts of the Irish NGO and declared himself in favor of creating the necessary conditions at schools, like the Institute of Higher Arts, to train specialists and piano tuners, mechanics and technicians, and to repair pianos. The Cuban renowned artist announced the performance of two concerts in Dublin, the Irish capital, to collect funds for the Una Corda Project. Micheál Martin arrived in Cuba on Wednesday as the first Irish Foreign Minister who pays an official visit to Cuba. The two countries established diplomatic relations on October 29, 1999. (Cubaminrex- ACN)
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