Athens, 20 October. Proud to be Cuban we celebrate today October 20th the Day of Cuban Culture. In this context, friends of the José Martí Cultural Association of solidarity with Cuba, will conduct an event against the unjust economic, commercial and financial blockade of the United States against Cuba and show once again their support for the Cuban revolution.
On October 20, 1868, the Cuban National Anthem, La Bayamesa, was first sang, as it was called by the Cuban people at the time, when Mambisian troops under the command of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes liberated the city of Bayamo. The lawyer Pedro Figueredo, known as Perucho, was the author of such fiery verses. From that October 20th, the fervent notes of the Bayamo Anthem presided over all the acts of the Cuban independence movement, and after time, it has become the National Anthem of Cuba, which has transcended to this day as a symbol of the Homeland and concrete expression of the patriotic character of the Cuban people. That is why to consider October 20 as the Day of Cuban Culture, is to recognize, first of all, the essence of Cuban roots.
The National Anthem of Cuba is the symbol in which the feeling of love for the homeland and the decision to combat intersect, the artistic expression of this cultural act par excellence in which the people affirm and conquer their full identity, the liberating war.
The current lyrics to the anthem are as follows:
To the battle run, Bayamese,
which the Homeland proudly contemplates you.
Fear not a glorious death,
that dying for the Homeland is living.
In chains to live, it is to live
in affront and oprobrium submerged.
From the clarion listen to the sound.
Brave to the weapons run!