London, 8 August 2021- Members of the Cuba solidarity organisation "Rock Around the Blockade" (RATB) and the Revolutionary Communist Group in the United Kingdom highlighted this Sunday that the island constitutes a paradigm for progressive forces worldwide, on the occasion of the virtual presentation of the documentary “Mi primera tarea” (My first Task). They also recognised the country's achievements in education, health and sports, mentioning in particular the results obtained by Cuba at the Tokyo Olympic Games, where it came 14th in the overall medal table by country.
The hosts of the event took the opportunity to condemn the recent destabilisation actions in the island, supported by the US government. In addition, they ratified their rejection of the blockade imposed for more than 60 years against Cuba and shared the statement of support and solidarity with Cuba issued by RATB in view of the events of 11 July.
The Second Secretary of the Cuban Embassy, Aymée A. Díaz Negrín, sent fraternal greetings to the friends of Cuba in both groups and thanked them for their traditional support in the just struggle for the lifting of the blockade. Díaz Negrín also reiterated the validity of the thoughts of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, the main architect of the Campaign that allowed Cuba to be proclaimed the first territory free of illiteracy in Latin America on 22 December 1961.
The American filmmaker and director of the documentary, Catherine Murphy, acknowledged the impact of the Literacy Campaign in Cuba, an event that mobilized and made available all possible resources and personnel, even if they were not directly linked to the field of education.
Cubans living in the UK also participated in the event.
The documentary “Mi primera tarea” reflects the experiences of Cuban singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez as a teacher in the Ciénaga de Zapata during the Literacy Campaign, when he was still a teenager.