Activities begin in Holguín to commemorate Fidel's centenary

Photo: Alexis del Toro

Activities commemorating the centenary of Fidel Castro began in Holguín with the discussion “Fidel and culture,” led by writer Ronel González Sánchez and historian Hernel Pérez Concepción.

Organized by the local branch of UNEAC, the event marks the start of a series of monthly conferences dedicated to reflecting on Fidel´s legacy.

The event also included the exhibition “Figura en tránsito” and took place within the framework of Victory Week. Its main goal is to analyze Fidel’s cultural influence through the perspectives of intellectuals from the región.

The historian Hernel Pérez highlighted the 1961 Literacy Campaign as a fundamental foundation for the country’s cultural development, noting that illiteracy rates in Holguín were very high before 1959, a reality that the 1961 Campaign transformed. “The first thing Fidel did to engage society and make the promotion of culture possible was literacy,” he noted.

Meanwhile, local writer Ronel González reviewed the creation of key cultural institutions after the revolutionary triumph and emphasized Fidel’s vision of culture as a cornerstone of the nation. He also shared personal experiences with Fidel and defended the continued relevance of his cultural ideas.

The program will continue with future discussions addressing different stages of Fidel’s life and work, featuring well-known intellectuals from the province.