Fidel’s Homeland Is the Entire Plane

from Antoine de Saint Exupery -

Comments from participants at the Memory and Future: Cuba and Fidel colloquium
taking place in Havana

ORFILIO PELAEZ, JOEL MAYOR LORAN and PEDRO DE LA HOZ

Hebe de Bonafini, one of the symbols of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo of Argentina, is among the many social and political activists, artists and intellectuals in Havana to celebrate the 80th birthday of Cuban President Fidel Castro.

A participant in the colloquium titled Memory and Future: Cuba and Fidel, Hebe referred to the Cuban leader: "He is the greatest, wisest, upright and sincerest person I’ve met."

Italian journalist Gianni Mina gave some history, "Seventeen years ago socialism in Eastern Europe began to collapse and Cuba, under the leadership of the comandante, continues standing and moves forward."

Chilean author Volodia Teitelboim summed up the importance of the Cuban president on a global scale by saying: "The homeland of Fidel is not only Cuba, but the planet Earth."

The Memory and Future: Cuba and Fidel colloquium was convoked by the Guayasamin Foundation of Ecuador as part of activities it has organized in Havana to honor the Cuban leader on his 80th birthday. The famed artist, Oswaldo Guayasamin (1919-1999), was a great friend of Cuba and Fidel Castro.

Luther Castillo, a Honduran doctor who graduated at the Latin American School of Medical Sciences in Havana, noted that while in the 115 years since the Autonomous University of Honduras was founded only one black doctor has graduated, scholarships in Cuba have made it possible for 18 of the Garifuna ethnic group to become physicians.

Marcelino dos Santos, writer and historic leader of Mozambique, recalled that the blood of the Cuban people contributed to the freedom of many African countries.

Venezuelan Minister of Culture Francisco Sesto highlighted the humanistic vision and firm principles of Fidel Castro while Tarek William Saab, a Venezuelan poet and politician, said the Cuban leader took the baton from 19th century Latin American liberation hero Simon Bolivar.

After telling the colloquium about her experience promoting the literacy teaching method designed in Cuba, Claudia Camba of Argentina drew applause when she said: "The best tribute to Fidel is for us to plant his dreams wherever we can and make them come true."