Preparations for tribute to Fidel, full speed ahead
Campaign News | Saturday, 18 November 2006
Guayasamín Foundation confirms celebration wil go ahead
BY MARÍA JULIA MAYORAL - Granma daily staff writer -
MORE than 1,000 prominent individuals representing 64 countries and every continent plan to be in Cuba from November 28 to early December to celebrate Fidel Castro’s 80th birthday, in what will be “a gift from the heart of the passion, affection and respect that people all over the world” have for the Revolution’s leader, affirmed Alfredo Vera, member of the Guayasamín Foundation and organizer of the event, on Nov. 17.
Very close ties of friendship and mutual admiration united the Cuban president and the exceptional Ecuadorian painter Oswaldo Guayasamín; that brotherly relationship was remarked on by the Foundation’s director of international relations, who confirmed the events to celebrate Fidel’s birthday: a colloquium on Fidel’s thought, with participation by outstanding men and women from the worlds of culture, science and politics from all over; the concert “All Voices Together” at the José Martí Anti-Imperialist Tribunal in Havana; and the inauguration of an exhibition with works by the celebrated Latin American artist at the National Museum of Fine Arts.
The “Informative Roundtable,” television program, which broadcast this news, included statements by prominent individuals whose presence at the event has been confirmed, including sociologist and journalist Ignacio Ramonet; Havana City Historian Eusebio Leal; former Ecuadorian President Rodrigo Borja; writer Luis Britto; and outstanding intellectual Atilio Borón, who expressed great appreciation at being able to attend a tribute to a man who has become a present and future symbol of the peoples’ struggles for their emancipation from imperialist greed.
Saskia Guayasamín, vice president of the Foundation, was a guest on “Roundtable,” and affirmed that the international event is a battle that was won in a very short time due to the great admiration for Fidel and his father, who dedicated all of his artistic work to the defense of the poor and dispossessed of Our America.
For two and half days, from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, the aforementioned colloquium will meet at the International Convention Center, Alfredo Vera said. Three commissions will feature discussions on solidarity, internationalism and the desire to create the “New Man,” ideas present in Fidel’s ideas and work. They will also discuss the Cuban president’s ideas regarding justice, equality and the great questions facing humanity. “Roundtable” host Randy Alonso explained that the discussions will be recorded and broadcast on that program.
Alfredo Che Vera, Guayasamín’s grandson, said that the “All Voices Together” concert set for November 30 will feature top performers from Cuba and other Latin American nations.
Preparations appear to be going full steam ahead, and our country will proudly welcome the thousands of friends who plan to participate in that “magic mix of ideas and dreams.”
(Translated by Granma International)
http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2006/noviembre/vier17/48mil.html
