Meyvis Estévez Echevarría, first secretary of the National Committee of the youth organisation, called for this April 4, the 64th anniversary of the José Martí Pioneers Organisation (OPJM) and the 63rd of the Young Communist League (UJC), respectively, to be a celebration of victories, dreams and the joy of the new generations, announcing that Pinar del Río is the venue for the central activities for the anniversary.

Sending – through Juventud Rebelde – congratulations and a big hug to every pioneer and young Cuban, especially to those of Vueltabajo, she assured that winning this well-deserved triumph is no coincidence: «it is the fruit of their tireless dedication, their contagious enthusiasm and their exceptional results in every task undertaken on behalf of our organisation».

Estévez Echevarría said that, despite the complexities the country is going through, his youngest children have reason to celebrate, as they are the protagonists of a social justice project that has kept them very much in mind, and they are an example «of unity, discipline, creativity and love for the homeland, in whose hands lies the strength to continue making history.

«We reach this date one year after our 12th. Congress working to consolidate the Strategy to strengthen the integral role of the UJC, youth movements and student organisations in the present and future of the country, and also when we develop the assembly process Together for Cuba, on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the OPJM, in order to listen, in the voices of all children, their doubts and proposals that will improve the functioning of their organisation,» he said.

As part of the celebrations, he explained that in the provinces and municipalities, mobilisations in support of food production and other important work have taken place recently or are about to take place, recognitions to young people and collectives that stand out with the Always Young condition, ascents to the highest summits, galas, presentations of socio-cultural projects, as well as exhibitions, competitions and excursions.

Referring specifically to the encounters with the history of the homeland, he pointed out that we will return to it again and again, and even after 4 April, because there is much to learn, and we will know how to take advantage of every minute to honour our heroes and martyrs and to revere that glorious past that we received as an inheritance, that is a purpose that we assume as an organisation and in which we have been accompanied by our President.

«There are many ways to celebrate, in squares, parks, workplaces, educational centres, cultural institutions and sports fields, as well as in the streets, in every neighbourhood, to ratify our sacred commitment to the homeland, the future and our dreams,» said the First Secretary of the UJC, who added that this Friday the first thought will be for Fidel, the founder of our organisations, the eternal Caguairán who will always guide us.

«The first action will also be in solidarity with the savagely attacked Palestine, with its heroic and martyred people, its young people, the children that the Zionist army daily kills, wounds and leaves without home or family, and we will demand an end to the genocide in Gaza, peace and justice,» she stressed.
Estévez Echevarría explained that this Thursday youth camps and community activities will be held. In the case of Pinar del Río, he said, it will be in areas of the impressive Mural of Prehistory, one of the largest open-air paintings in the world. At dawn on the 4th the big party for the little ones will be in the pioneer palaces with sports and recreational festivals.

On the same day, in Havana, outstanding young people in study, work and defence will be decorated with the Julio Antonio Mella Order and the Abel Santamaría and José Antonio Echeverría medals, while several groups will receive the UJC’s Flag of Honour, as a prize for their career, merit and results achieved. And to close the day in all the provinces there will be concerts and dances dedicated to the newcomers.

Finally he pointed out that «this 4th April belongs to the young people, to the authorities of the Party, the State and the Government, who care so much about us, it belongs to the sacrificed and honourable people of whom we are children, it belongs to all of us who were formed in the invincible school of Fidel, Raúl and the Historic Generation, the inspiration of the current leadership of the country».