Majestic. Imposing. That's how I saw Havana's Convention Palace when I arrived for my first press coverage, during a session of the National Assembly of People's Power.I remember that I got lost in its corridors and, when I asked a man who was checking the transmission equipment in the press room, he guided me to the place I was looking for.Thanks to him (I later learned that he was Oscar José Rubio Leyva, head of the technical services area) I learned that it was born "under the impulse of the creative energy of Celia Sánchez, who had a decisive participation in its conception, construction and implementation" -as Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro would say-; she made sure that the work had the seal of the autochthonous and optimum quality. Other names carved in the essence of the Palace also stood out: the Commanders of the Revolution Juan Almeida Bosque, Ramiro Valdés Menéndez and Guillermo García Frías. There I understood that more than a place for events, it was a revolutionary conception.Some time later, when I returned on the occasion of the 5th International Conference For the Balance of the World, it was surprising to see how all the workers were perfectly ready for any situation in the midst of such an immense event. Not even the smallest detail escaped them, a sign of the tremendous professionalism and preparation of the group. There I understood that the greatness of the Palace is made of the dedication of its people.*****The Convention Palace, inaugurated on September 3rd, 1979, is not just a building, it is a vibrant symbol of Cuba's organizational capacity and commitment to international dialogue. This building, designed by renowned Cuban architect Antonio Quintana Simonetti, stands in the capital's Playa municipality as the country's largest and most prestigious meeting epicenter.Its history is full of crucial moments for Cuban politics and diplomacy, as well as the development of the country's organizations. The opening of the facility was conceived for the 6th Summit of Non-Aligned Countries, an event that underscored Cuba's importance in the international arena. Since then, it has been the venue for countless congresses, summits and events of worldwide relevance, including the sessions of the Cuban Parliament.The building stands out not only for its modern infrastructure and its capacity to host major events, but also for the values it promotes, such as:Specialization: the team of Professional Congress Organizers (PCO) guarantees excellence in each event, from planning to execution.Innovation: equipped with advanced technology and simultaneous interpretation services, the Palace is constantly adapting to contemporary needs.Social commitment: it has been a space for the exchange of ideas and the promotion of social causes, reflecting Cuba's responsibility to justice and equality.Hospitality: with the Palco Hotel integrated into its facilities, the Palace offers a complete and welcoming experience for participants of international events.Precisely because of these operating principles, it has gained international recognition and is a member of organizations such as the Federation of Congress Organizing Entities in Latin America and the International Association of Congress Centers.Likewise, it is a reference scenario and "a great school for the training of workers in the field of specialized tourism," as Zósima López Ruiz, professional congress organizer of the prestigious institution, commented to this newspaper a few years ago.This center also has the privilege of having been the Commander's house, from where he envisioned and projected great dreams. Today, 45 years after its founding, the work group continues to put on high the words of Fidel in 1979, that it is "a Palace at the service of the noblest ideas. A vanguard rearguard."EVENTS THAT MAKE THE HISTORY OF A GIANT EVEN GREATER6th and 14th Summits of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1979 and 2006, respectively.Ibero-American Summit, in 1999.South-South Summit, in 2000.The 105th Inter-Parliamentary Conference, in 2001.Host of several congresses on Globalization and Development Problems, and the International Conference on the Balance of the World.Summit of Heads of State and/or Government of the G-77 and China, in 2023.Venue of the Habano Festival.Venue of the Congresses of the PCC, the UJC, other political, student and mass organizations, and State agencies.Venue of the sessions of the National Assembly of People's Power.
Photo: José Manuel Correa
