Raúl and Díaz-Canel presided over the political-cultural event in homage to the 99th birthday of the Commander-in-Chief, a day that marked the start of the commemorative programme for Fidel’s centenary

In Birán, fertile land of men who make the future, Cuba celebrated this Wednesday, as in every corner of the country, the 99th birthday of the Commander-in-Chief, a tribute that marked the beginning of a greater celebration: the commemorative programme for Fidel’s centenary, which is, as the poet would say, «that which the tree calls root».

The celebration at the historic site, sheltered by a leafy carob tree and the cedars that almost a century ago sheltered the birth of a symbol, was presided over by another extraordinary son of that Holguín soil, the most Fidelista of all Cubans, his brother in blood and ideas, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, leader at the helm of the Cuban Revolution.

Alongside Raúl, at this site which was a starting point in the nation’s history, was also the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez; as well as other members of the Political Bureau, leaders of the Party, the State and the Government, of the Young Communists League, of the mass organisations, of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, and a representation of young people from the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo and Holguín.

And participating in a special way in this day of remembrance was the youth solidarity brigade from several countries of the world, reaffirming that Cuba is not alone.

With the certainty that Fidel is a country and, more than evoking him, it is necessary to bring him to the present and continue his legacy with deeds, the member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of Organisation of the Central Committee of the Party, Roberto Morales Ojeda, reviewed the fruitful life of the Commander, one that began to be written in the Birán homestead and forever changed the course of history.

In his words, he affirmed that Fidel’s proven sense of justice and Cubanía germinated precisely in Birán, «where he was born to be a light in dark times, to be the voice of those who had none, and the hope of those who, faced with adversity, could only aspire to a better world. His birth signified the beginning of a life devoted to the tireless struggle for Cuba’s freedom and emancipation».

He spoke of the brilliant statesman, the sincere friend, of his universal stature, of the feelings of solidarity he fostered in our people, of his defence of peace and all just causes, of the spirit of resistance and victory he instilled in us, and of the profound conviction to safeguard unity as the only path to achieve victory.

A pivotal moment of his address was the call for the commemorative programme for the centenary of Fidel’s birth, approved at the 10th Plenum of the Central Committee of the Party, held last July.

This, said Morales Ojeda, is a celebration of respect and commitment, with the participation of the entire people and marked protagonism of the youth, and which aims, in its deepest essence, to promote the study of his work, the research of his thought, and to advance his convictions and ideals. It is about «turning into concrete acts his teaching that yes, it is possible».

The tribute, according to the Party leader, will emerge in every timely and solidary action we undertake, in every scientific advance, in every decolonising cultural work, every sporting feat or contribution to production; it will be in our capacity to «embody, with critical and creative spirit, his transformative drive».

To honour him, he affirmed, «is also to do things well, to banish apathy, to confront our own errors, always alongside the people and the humble for whom this Revolution was made».

And there, in the land that saw the birth of the vigorous child, who later became a paradigm for all time, the tribute continued with a beautiful piece by the children’s theatre company La Colmenita, which went to the very essence of the leader: human and sublime, alive and present.

The children traced, through the language of music and poetry, the life of Fidel, seed of Revolution and triumph, dream of victory fulfilled.

Through fragments of the book Todo el tiempo de los cedros, by writer Katiuska Blanco, the colmeneros sketched with words several dawnings: that of the love between Ángel and Lina, and that of their extraordinary children called to conquer Cuba’s definitive freedom.

The piece highlighted the stern yet sensitive spirit of Don Ángel, the whirlwind that was Lina, her fortitude, and Fidel’s childhood among humble people, those with whom another Cuban, also of universal stature, had sworn earlier to cast his lot.

Fidel, said the children, is greatness made man, inexhaustible intelligence, the conquest of all impossibles, optimism in the face of adversity, companionship, the courage and resistance of a people, the impulse to always do good.

The performance was also the certainty of those words by Che, which the Army General endorsed profoundly: «If we are here today and the Cuban Revolution is here, it is simply because Fidel entered the Moncada first; because he disembarked from the Granma first; because he was in the Sierra first; because he went to Playa Girón in a tank (…) because he has, like no one else in Cuba, the quality of possessing all possible moral authority to demand any sacrifice in the name of the Revolution».

After prolonged applause, and an exclamation that joined all voices in a I am Fidel!, the Army General and President Díaz-Canel went to the stage to thank the children «for such a revolutionary, beautiful and charming spectacle». A hug for everyone, said Raúl.

This 13th August, a country, which is the home of all, had a birthday, and its children sang to Fidel, conscious that the best tribute is to defend Cuba, to which he dedicated all his energies; it is to love her well, it is for each to do their part of their duty; it is to sustain and continue the Revolution; it is never to surrender.

The best tribute to Fidel is to overcome.