By: Daris Rondón Laurencio & Yaneli Acosta Galindo
On July 26th, 1953, there was an assault on the Moncada barracks, in Santiago de Cuba, and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, in Bayamo, in order to overthrow the dictator Fulgencio Batista.
A revolutionary movement of a new type rescued the Guiterista conception of the seizure of power through armed struggle. Its leader, Fidel Castro, became the undisputed guide of this movement.
Despite the failure of these military actions, they encouraged the fighting spirit of our people, fulfilling this phrase of our commander-in-chief “… It is necessary to start a small engine to help start the big one …”
Our province was shocked by the events of the Moncada, the newspaper “El Camagüeyano” echoed the falsehoods published by the regime, including the hypocritical words of the tyrant, calling for moderation and harmony, when the combatants were being assassinated.
Subsequently, the young people from Camagüey, when they knew who led and participated in the action, showed solidarity with them, many of whom knew about their activities in the Orthodox youth or the recently completed Martian Congress. After the Moncada, the revolutionary thought of the youth was radicalized.
When the revolution triumphed in January 1959, history, rewarding our tireless efforts in pursuit of self-determination and decorum, would give the people of Camagüey the possibility of having the presence in our land of one of the most brilliant men born in the century XXP; our undisputed leader Fidel Castro Ruz.
Recalling
There were countless occasions in which our leader visited the province, that is why we can be proud of his attendance at the events commemorating the 24th and 36th anniversary of the assaults on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes barracks on July 26th, 1977 and 1989 respectively; where he expressed:
…… “Truly that a day like today, in which the comrades who died are remembered, all the comrades who fell in recent years fulfilling their duty, which really compensates, and encourages, and consoles us all, it is knowing —as a day like today can be seen— that none died in vain. That the fruits of their blood and their sacrifices are this people, this Revolution, this patriotic spirit, deep patriotic spirit!, and this profound internationalist spirit, these generous and supportive sentiments of our people…. ”
… “This is the same country and it is the same town of Céspedes and Martí this is the same country and the same town of Agramonte and Máximo Gómez, this is the same country and the same town of the Bronze Titan Antonio Maceo this is the same country and the same town of Yara and Baire, this is the same country and the same town of the Baraguá Protest, this is the same country and the same town of Moncada, Girón and internationalism, only with a revolutionary conscience as high as it never had before and this people and this country will know how to be consistent with its glorious history! “….”
When our commander referred to the importance of history for our province, he said:
….. “Building new buildings does not mean that we are going to forget about the old ones. Especially in Camagüey this has a particular importance, because you have thousands of buildings in old Camagüey; buildings that have a very great historical and cultural value. Constructions must be preserved and maintained, so that in the future the community and visitors of Camagüey can appreciate and enjoy the two architectural styles: the old and the modern.
His spirit of revolution lives in Camagüey
So we can say that today Camagüey symbolizes the revolutionary spirit of work and struggle that reigns throughout the country, which constitutes a worthy tribute to those who have fallen, not with words, but with deeds.
Particularly in these years that we do not have the presence of our historical leader Fidel Castro Ruz. He will no longer be there to tell us about the future, but in his written work and example there are many clues to think and do the best in each moment, as he instilled in us.
Despite no longer having him with us on the earthly plane, I can assure you that from today with more force than ever when saying Cuba is the same as saying Fidel, because that is him: Cuba.
Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García
