ENU students listened to a lecture on the history of Cuba

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to Kazakhstan Alfredo Fidel Nieves Portuondo gave a lecture on “The History of Cuba: From Antiquity To Modernity” at The L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University”.

The meeting was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of International Relations Miras Kosybayev, noting that interaction with representatives of diplomatic missions is of great importance for students.

"The presence of the diplomatic corps in Astana, including foreign embassies, opens up great opportunities for our students. Through such meetings, we create the conditions for them to combine theoretical knowledge in the field of international relations with practical experience. We thank Mr. Ambassador for accepting our invitation and meeting with the students," Miras Kosybayev said.

Starting the lecture with a story about the geographical location of the country, Alfredo Fidel Nieves Portuondo drew attention to Cuba's location between North and South America. Using the map, he spoke about the historical significance of the island and explained how its geographical location influenced the formation of the state and the development of its external relations.

In addition to historical events, the diplomat spoke about the formation of the Cuban people and the peculiarities of national culture. According to him, the culture of Cuba has developed as a result of the interaction of different peoples. The influence of Spanish culture is clearly visible in the language and traditions of the country.

"It is not easy to understand the history of the Cuban people, because its formation was influenced by different peoples and cultures. Spain has a special place in our history. Spanish is the official language of Cuba. One of the main qualities of Cubans is hospitality. We also love dancing and sports," Alfredo Fidel Nieves Portuondo said.

During the meeting, the Ambassador also spoke about the peculiarities of life on the island, stressing that the natural and geographical conditions of Cuba had an impact on the lifestyle and worldview of its population.

Alfredo Fidel Nieves Portuondo's professional career is closely related to journalism and diplomacy. He began his career as a journalist and later worked for the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Over the years, he held positions at the Embassy of Cuba in the Russian Federation, and also worked as Ambassador to the Republic of Belarus and Azerbaijan. In 2025, he was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

At the end of the lecture, the students asked the Ambassador questions and exchanged views on Cuba's historical past, its culture and international relations. The meeting allowed the students to examine the history of Cuba in relation to the geographical, political and cultural characteristics of the country.