Friends climb Bulgarian mountain in support of Cuba

In Bulgaria, approximately 30 individuals gathered to ascend Mount Vitosha, the nation's highest peak, in a show of solidarity with Cuba. This climb honored the 72nd anniversary of the Moncada barracks attack and the 100th birthday of Fidel Castro.

The participants, representing various generations and organizations, also used the occasion to protest the U.S. embargo against Cuba. The ascent of Pico Negro, standing at 2,290 meters, specifically recalled Castro's own climb in 1972 during his first visit to Bulgaria. A photograph of Castro at the site, alongside flags of both nations, served as a reaffirmation of support.

The initiative was coordinated by the Bulgaria-Cuba Friendship Association, with significant participation from its members, the September 23 Youth Movement, and the Bulgarian Young Communists. The Radetsky Bureau, specializing in high-altitude climbs, also provided support. Among the attendees were Valentina Boyadzheva, president of the Bulgaria-Cuba Friendship Association, and Stefan Petrov, president of the September 23 Movement.

An emotional account came from Atanas Mrachkov, a worker at the Aleko rest center on Mount Vitosha, who recalled witnessing Castro's climb 54 years prior, remembering his agility and strength. The group's flag-raising ceremony took place on July 25 during a commemorative event at the Cuban Embassy in Sofia, where calls for the end of the blockade and threats against the Cuban people were reiterated. The message from Bulgaria was clear: Cuba is not alone, and its resistance against U.S. policy is supported.