The Luis and Sergio Saíz brigade ascended the 28 de Enero Peak in Florencia municipality, as part of the «Why We Fight» campaign running nationwide until 13 August.
The motives are to honour the Saíz Montes de Oca brothers assassinated by the Batista tyranny on 13 August; also, the 99th birthday of the Revolution’s historic leader, Fidel Castro; and, moreover, to bring Martí’s clarity to certain corners of this geography in the precise sense of building the homeland which is building humanity.
The ascent to Ciego de Ávila’s highest peak began around nine in the morning by actors, writers, improvisational poets and musicians, alongside workers from the Young Creator’s House and other invited artists. They headed straight for the summit via the shortest and simultaneously most rugged path.
After a warm welcome from the Municipal People’s Power Assembly president and collecting Luis – the 75-year-old guide with all the looks of a perfect ninja – these artists began climbing while recalling songs by Silvio, Buena Fe, and films by celluloid masters like Fernando Pérez and Steven Spielberg, among others. Spirits never waned however arduous the path.
Simultaneously, in the island’s eastern region, other artists from the AHS were also climbing, but Turquino Peak, precisely during the same campaign and with similar resolve.
Days prior, the Luis y Sergio brigade had starred in an excellent event at the Roberto Rodríguez pioneer camp in Majagua; held poetry and narrative readings at the Avilanian AHS’s Barquito café, also honouring writer Félix Sánchez; and as part of «Why We Fight»’s artistic activities, Dry Chamorro – the organisation’s vice-president in the territory – hosted his monthly «A viva voz» space from a radio programme perspective, featuring various participatory sections including karaoke.
This community artistic campaign now has fewer days remaining, but its presence has certainly made an impact.
Not a few Florencia residents were captivated by these young people’s dedication: having climbed the 28 de Enero Peak, they later immersed themselves in a beautifully childlike spectacle on the plains where music, dance and children’s singing fused with literature from Yaima Hernández, Nodailin Granados and Vasily MP.
According to Alejandro Quiñones, president of the AHS in the city of portals, «we must repeat this ascent soon, to bring other artists with us and create something grander, also celebrating the AHS’s 39th anniversary this October.»
