Cubans Wrap Up Celebrations for 157th Anniversary of the Birth of Jose Marti
As part of the celebrations for the anniversary, kids flocked to the parks of Havana to dance, sing, play games, draw on the sidewalks and watch performances. At 23 and C, Carnavaleando and its carnaval troupe entertained children during the afternoon.
Children’s theatre groups such as Hombrecitos de verde, La Colmenita and Sobredós paid tribute to Cuban national Hero Jose Martí, one of the great turn-of-the-century Latin American intellectuals, performing for the future generations in the parks of Havana.
On Friday the latest editions of the Alma Máter and Somos Jóvenes magazines were launched and several concerts were held by Cuban singer-songwriters, carnival dances with the Cuban University Students Association (FEU) dance troupe and a concert by Mediterráneo at the 25th and G Park.
Over the weekend, Cubans also celebrated the upcoming Ninth Congress of the Communist Youth League of Cuba (UJC) and the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Young Rebels Association. At the Pabellon Cuba on La Rampa Avenue a photo exhibition by Tina Modotti was inaugurated in tribute to Jose Marti prior to evening concerts on Saturday featuring live bands and DJs.
José Martí was born on January 28, 1853 and died in military action on May 19, 1895. He is a Cuban national hero and an important figure in Latin American literature. In his short life he was a poet, an essayist, a journalist, a revolutionary philosopher, a translator, a professor, a publisher, and a political theorist.
Through his writings and political activity, he became a symbol for Cuba’s bid for independence against Spain in the 19th century, and is referred to as the "Apostle of Cuban Independence". He also fought against the threat of United States expansionism into Cuba. From adolescence, he dedicated his life to the promotion of liberty, political independence for Cuba and intellectual independence for all Spanish Americans.
His belief in the inseparability of Cuban and Latin American sovereignty and the expression thereof in his writings have contributed to the shape of the modern Latin American Identity. His works are a cornerstone of Latin American and political literature and his prolific contributions to the fields of journalism, poetry, and prose are highly acclaimed.
