Fidel's traces in Holguín
- Written by Lourdes Pichs Rodríguez
- Published in Holguin
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Inauguration of the José Martí Vocational School on September 1, 1977. Photos: Courtesy of Miguel Cano Blanco
“The imprint of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro is present in many places of Holguín”, asserts Miguel José Cano Blanco, who was first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in this eastern Cuban province for 13 years.
Cano's voice reaches us full of admiration and gratitude towards Fidel, because according to him, with the presence of the Historical Leader of the Cuban Revolution, a broad program was designed to promote the development of the northern and eastern regions of Holguín.
“Starting in 1973, the territory received his visits, to lay the socioeconomic foundations and develop a more diverse and strong economy, which until then, the main business was the sugar sector in this area and nickel with its Nicaro and Moa plants.
“He first insisted on promoting educational and cultural activity, in order to prepare children and youth from kindergartens to university, which was a desire expressed by the population in February 1959, when he spoke to the people of Holguin from the balcony of La Periquera.
In the rustic ESBEC of Arroyo Seco, Velasco, where he played Volleyball
“This is how the so-called educational module was born, with primary schools, semi-boarding schools, secondary schools, pre-university schools, polytechnics, the José Martí vocational school, the Pedagogical Institute, the EIDE and the EPEF, the Oscar Lucero Moya University and the Pedagogical Institute, as well as the TV studio and the polygraphic industry among others”.
Although he has lived in Havana for more than 30 years, he has plenty of stories to tell, which is why he recalls some details, searches his memory and in every word he expresses satisfaction for the continuous meetings with Fidel, who always wanted to support this province and who became his main teacher in his path as a political leader.
He added that after the consolidation of Holguín, in October 1976 the territory of Moa became part of the province, but already six months before the development of the Metallurgical Mining Program began in that area. “The Ernesto Che Guevara nickel plant, a magnificent mechanical factory in the far east, which strengthened this part of the nation and the country in general. More than 20,000 workers and technicians from eastern Cuba and all of Cuba participated there.”
One night visit to the Combinadas Cañeras Factory to check the production process
“Several times Fidel visited the construction of the Combinadas Cañeras Factory already in operation. He highly esteemed engineer Yuri, at the head of that industry, due to his experience in larger plants and affinity with the Cubans,” he recalled.
Cano, as the first Secretary of the Party, had the honor of accompanying Fidel on each of his visits to the territory during his term in office. “They were intense days, for which we had to be well prepared and know production plans inside out, why a certain work was done or some economic strategy was followed; exact numbers of students or aspects related to the Public Health sector and the smallest details of the less incredible subject, since he asked, but at the same time each tour was a master class”.
There are many experiences with the Commander in Chief and now six years after his physical departure, he assures that "Fidel will always live in all patriotic Cubans loyal to the Revolution."
