Ottawa - The day of August 13 was marked by a gala celebration at the Embassy of Cuba in Canada to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz.
In the presence of members of the diplomatic corps, Cuban residents, and members of solidarity organizations, Cuba’s Ambassador, Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, highlighted Fidel’s life and immense legacy: “If Canada and Cuba have been able to build a multifaceted and mutually beneficial relationship over time, this is also part of Fidel Castro’s legacy.”
Malmierca Díaz emphasized the importance for Cuba of Fidel’s teachings in the current circumstances of the brutal assault by U.S. imperialism: “In the current circumstances, when the economic blockade imposed by the United States government has intensified to a terrible degree, our people find in the thought of Fidel Castro not only a historical point of reference, but also a method for confronting today’s challenges. It is necessary to study reality, anticipate difficulties, and act with boldness and courage in defense of our principles.”
The evening featured performances of “El Necio,” by Silvio Rodríguez, and “¡Qué viva Fidel!” by Cuban singer Moraima Rodríguez, as well as “100 años con Fidel,” performed by Tito Medina, who composed the song especially for the occasion.
Those in attendance also enjoyed the screening of audiovisual material featuring selected excerpts from the series “Hablan de Fidel,” a production of the Fidel Castro Center that brings together testimonies from people who knew and worked with the Commander-in-Chief: Magali Lobato Reyes, Mayda Díaz Reyes, Abel Prieto Jiménez, José Luis Rodríguez García, Enith Alerm Prieto, Pedro Medina Ayón, Fermín Raúl Ricardo Pedrón, José Ramón Balaguer Cabrera, Juvenal Balán Neyra, Haydée Díaz Ortega, Miguel Barnet Lanza, Frei Betto, Ignacio Ramonet, and Katiuska Blanco Castiñeira.
