Related videos:
The Cuban Freemasonry united last Friday to commemorate the 166th anniversary of the founding of the Grand Lodge of Cuba.
According to the report for Cubanet by journalist Camila Acosta, the cultural gala paying tribute to the oldest of the fraternal orders in Cuba took place at the Teatro Benito Juárez, located in the institution's headquarters in Havana.
A total of 600 Freemasons from various lodges across the country, along with representatives from Mexico, Italy, Mali, and Spain, as well as family members, gathered at the event led by the Grand Master, José Manuel Valdés Menéndez-Cuesta, and the High Officials of the Grand Lodge, as well as the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree for the Republic of Cuba, José Ramón Viñas Alonso.
"We filled the theater; such a scene had rarely been witnessed in the history of Freemasonry in recent years. The Freemasons were joyful, and that could be felt in the atmosphere and heard in the conversations; we were not only celebrating our anniversary but also the recent victory after more than a year of struggle against the interferences of the Cuban regime," one of those present told Acosta.
For his part, the Mason Yuniesky Carracedo Ortiz assured those present in his speech that "each crisis has been an opportunity to strengthen our brotherhood and reaffirm our mission."
"May this 166th anniversary be a call to action. May it inspire each of us to be agents of change in our communities. May we always remember the teachings of our predecessors and continue to follow the example of those who fought for a better future for all," he said.
Carracedo Ortiz concluded his speech with a call to work "together for a future where Masonic values prevail and a fairer society is built for everyone."
The Municipal Band of Regla entertained the evening.
Cuban Freemasonry seems to be finishing the year happily and with its autonomy restored following the recognition by the Cuban government of its new presidency.
In October, the Freemasons elected Manuel Valdés as the new Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Cuba, in a day marked by internal tensions and warnings about potential external interference.
In 2024, Cuban Freemasonry was shaken by a corruption scandal involving former Grand Master Mario Urquía Carreño.
The scandal generated a reputation crisis within the Cuban masonry, worsened by the regime's interference in its internal affairs.
The Grand Lodge of Cuba faced public discredit and internal division, in addition to state intervention which was seen as an attempt to control the institution.
Filed under: