Gonzalo Nova, a 100-year-old Galician emigrant, made an emotional return to his birthplace from Cuba this week, thanks to the Family Reunions program initiated by the Xunta de Galicia. Born in Narón, Nova left for Havana in 1951 at the age of 25, shortly after completing his military service. "I'm overjoyed. When I emigrated to Cuba, Galicia was impoverished, and I sought a better life," he shared with La Voz de Galicia upon arriving at Peinador Airport in Vigo.
Accompanied by his Cuban wife, María Luisa Pérez, and their son Enrique, Nova plans to spend fifteen days in Carballiño and an additional two weeks with relatives. During his time in Cuba, Gonzalo worked as a teacher in a polytechnic institute and established a workshop focused on creating tools for hospitals. "I worked in technological schools. I can't recall many of them now because memory is one of my biggest challenges," he said in an interview with Galician media after landing.
Before emigrating, he had been employed as a lathe operator in the shipyards of Ferrol: "I worked, for instance, in the Ferrol del Caudillo shipyard, starting my career as a lathe operator there. That's what I remember, along with my family, of course," he expressed with visible emotion.
A Family Reunion and Future Plans
The return journey has also been a cherished family reunion. When asked about his plans now that he's back, he replied, "I want to go to Valencia because my daughter is there."
His wife, María Luisa, a philologist by profession, noted that they have been married for 56 years. Both praised the healthcare in Cuba: "Cuba has excellent geriatric care in hospitals, and they take good care of us." Their son Enrique works as an IT specialist in a hospital, while their daughter Judit resides in Miami. María Luisa mentioned, "Our daughter is considering returning to Spain," and expressed reluctance to visit Miami "because of Trump."
Program to Support Returning Emigrants
Gonzalo Nova was part of a group of over 200 individuals who arrived in Galicia from countries like Cuba, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela. The Family Reunions program, funded by the Secretaría Xeral de Emigración of the Xunta, covers travel expenses, accommodation, and lodging in leisure residences such as Panxón and Carballiño.
"It is just that they can reunite with their families after many years apart. It's an opportunity for them, who never forget their homeland," expressed Antonio Rodríguez Miranda, the Secretary Xeral de Emigración, who welcomed the participants at the airport.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Galician government to facilitate the return of citizens living abroad. During a visit to Havana in March, Miranda introduced the Retorna Cualifica Emprego program, which allows Galician emigrants to return to Galicia with a pre-signed employment contract from their country of residence.
At the same event, attended by approximately 500 people in the Cuban capital, academic scholarships for those not of working age and financial aid for vulnerable families remaining on the island were also announced. According to official data, Cuba ranks as the third country with the highest number of Galician-origin residents, totaling nearly 50,000.
FAQs about the Galician Return Program
What is the Family Reunions program?
The Family Reunions program is an initiative by the Xunta de Galicia to help Galician emigrants return to their homeland to reunite with their families after many years abroad.
Who funds the travel and accommodation expenses for returning emigrants?
The Secretaría Xeral de Emigración of the Xunta de Galicia funds the travel, accommodation, and lodging expenses for emigrants returning under the Family Reunions program.
What opportunities are available for returning Galician emigrants?
Returning Galician emigrants can benefit from the Retorna Cualifica Emprego program, which provides employment contracts signed from their country of residence, as well as academic scholarships and financial aid for vulnerable families.