Alexander Gallar Bustillo, the most well-rounded graduate of 2026 from the «Marta Machado Cuní» Pedagogical School in Isla de la Juventud, returned to Cuba after a trip to Saint Petersburg, Russia, which he received as a prize for his academic excellence.
The young man was part of a delegation of the country’s top graduates, whom he first met in Havana before embarking on the journey together. This initiative brings to mind the "awards" that the regime used to grant decades ago to select Cubans, and it also exemplifies the indoctrination that today’s youth still receive.
His first impression upon arriving in Russia was seeing the city from the plane. "I liked everything equally," he said when referring to the museums, the streets, and the people he encountered during his stay.
The group’s agenda was intense from the very first day: they visited museums—including the Hermitage and the Bronze Horseman monument—took boat rides, and interacted with the governor of St. Petersburg, guides, and translators.
In one of the museums, a teacher who was giving Spanish lessons taught them basic words in Russian: "She taught us how to greet in Russian, to say thank you, and the numbers. Well, one, two, three, up to ten," Alexander said.
The young man aspires to be a primary school teacher and claims that the experience will be very useful in the classroom.
He plans to speak to his future students about the customs, traditions, and cultural "treasures" of Russia, and to become an example that academic effort is rewarded by the regime.
"Let them know that with good behavior and study, everyone can earn great things," he stated.
Although he acknowledged that he would have liked to stay longer, Alexander returned feeling satisfied. "He feels very satisfied and happy to have earned that trip."
Alexander concluded his story with a gaze toward the future: he sees his professional life "as a teacher in a primary classroom, striving and working hard with the children, so they receive a good education, acquire knowledge, and become good people."
This trip is part of a cooperation program between the governments of Cuba and Russia that has intensified since 2024.
The governor of Saint Petersburg, Aleksandr Beglov, announced at the end of that year the resumption of the summer program for Cuban graduates, which had been interrupted for nearly 30 years following the Soviet collapse.
In July 2025, a first group of 25 Cuban children traveled to the Orliónok camp, in the Krasnodar region, resuming that cooperation.
That same summer, another group of Cuban graduates participated in the "Álie Parusá" (Scarlet Sails) festival, the grand annual event in Saint Petersburg celebrating high school graduates during the White Nights.
In 2026, the festival took place on the night of June 27 to 28 under the theme "City of Thinkers."
Critical voices have pointed out that these programs have a component of political indoctrination, in the context of the alignment between Havana and Moscow.
In parallel, about 274 young Cubans are studying in 25 Russian universities, 61 of them at institutions in Saint Petersburg.
Related videos:
Filed under: