Havana, October 18 (RHC)– A collection of 204 books related to Spain’s military and generals was donated to the Cuban History Institute (IHC) October 17, during a ceremony at the organization’s headquarters in Old Havana's Palacio de Aldama.

Among the oldest materials included in the donation by Spain’s Military History and Culture Institute (IHCM), is a facsimile published in 1858 entitled Major Generals, from 1851 to 1856, while more recent works included Los Marinos en la Orden de San Fernando, from 2011.

Juan José Buitrago, Spanish ambassador to Cuba, noted that the donation is part of a series of activities and exchanges between the two institutions after the signing of Letters of Intention in September 2016, aimed at strengthening collaborative projects.

The diplomat noted that the donations will continue. He highlighted Spain’s willingness to strengthen ties with Cuba in the field of historical research given its importance to understanding both peoples and countries.

René González Barrios, director of the Cuban History Institute, thanked the Spanish Military History and Culture Institute for the donation. He said that Cuba has also donated to the Spanish institute hundreds of rare and valuable historical books about its wars of independence, which he described as “an important contribution, which enables Spain to have access to Cuban sources.”

The Spanish institute has already donated to Cuba over half of the service sheets of the generals whom Cuban mambises fought for over 30 years back in the 19th century during Cuba's struggle against Spanish colonialism, as well as Spanish films shot in the early 20th century about Cuba’s independence wars.

González Barrios went on to note that both institutions are currently conducting research and joint projects, including studies on Havana’s fortifications system, the creation of a biographical military dictionary of Spanish generals in Cuba, and a catalog of the battles fought during Cuba’s wars of independence.