Italians pay tribute to Granma partisan, expedition member Gino Doné

During an event in this capital, Italian friends of Cuba highlighted the deep significance that remains of partisan Gino Doné, a Granma expedition member, now rest in that nation, as was his wish, a spokesperson indicated on Sunday.

Catia Funari, director of the Italy-Cuba National Friendship Association (ANAIC), said in statements to Prensa Latina that the tribute, held on Saturday, took place shortly after the one held in Cuba to place Doné’s ashes in the Pantheon of Veterans, in the Colón Cemetery in Havana.

The event in Rome, held in front of the plaque that honors Argentine-Cuban Guerrilla Commander Ernesto Che Guevara, in the San Lorenzo neighborhood, was organized by the ANAIC, in conjunction with the political group Patria Socialista (PS) and the National Association of Partisans of Italy (ANPI).

Also present at the event were Cuban Ambassador Mirta Granda; Funari, on behalf of the ANAIC; PS National Secretary Igor Camilli; PS International Relations Secretary Iván Collini; Giuseppe Caroccia, on behalf of the ANPI, and the president of the Palestinian Community of Rome, Yousef Salman.

In her speech, the Cuban diplomat highlighted the significance of transferring Doné’s ashes to Cuba, which unites both people even more in the memory of someone who fought against Nazifascism in Italy, and participated in the struggles for Cuba’s liberation.

She referred to the mourning ceremony in Cuba, held on Saturday, coinciding with the date of the Granma yacht’s landing 67 years ago, with 82 revolutionary combatants on board, including the Italian partisan, the only European member of the group.

The event in Havana was chaired by Commander of the Revolution Ramiro Valdés, and was attended by members of an Italian delegation from the ANAIC, headed by its national president, Marco Papacci.

At the event in Rome, Collini recounted Gino Doné’s life, and read messages sent by Nicaraguan Ambassador in Rome Mónica Robelo, and Venezuelan Charge D’affaires María Elena Uzzo.

Caroccia spoke on behalf of the ANPI about Doné’s antifascist fight as a partisan and noted the importance of following his example, maintaining the fight against the resurgence and strengthening of ultra-conservative and neo-fascist currents in the world.

Funari, in turn, underlined the honor for the ANAIC of having cooperated in making Doné’s last wish to have his ashes taken to Cuba come true, and recited in his memory the poem The Partisan’s Mother.