The Immense Work of Fidel

The Immense Work of Fidel
Fecha de publicación: 
25 November 2021
0
Imagen principal: 

Some said that the Cuban Revolution was Fidel. And behind that ambiguous expression they hid the hope that once its historical leader physically disappeared, the Revolution would collapse. Certainly, the Revolution was and is (among many other things) Fidel. But the greatest merit of this extraordinary politician and fighter was precisely to dedicate himself to that Revolution, to accept it not as the work of an individual, but as the realization of an entire people.

He was (and in a way continues to be, due to the strength of his life’s work) the undisputed guide of this Revolution. But the Revolution is, first of all, the people.

A thorough understanding of the revolutionary dialectic gave him the ability to build agreement, based on the confluence of an antidogmatic conception of Marxism and the spirit of Marti’s Cuban identity. What some call Fidel Castro's contribution to the revolutionary theory is actually the realization of a political ideal in the construction of a new society, not free from conflicts and challenges, but aimed at the greater objective: justice for all.

The Revolution was the laboratory in all areas including politics, society, economy, and culture. It was the greatest transformation the entire nation has ever experienced. A profound, systemic change, focused on the inclusive analysis of the goals and demands of the humblest, inspirational and motive for all the emancipatory struggles in the history of Cubans.

There resides the essence of that fundamental concept of Fidel: The Cuban Revolution is only one: it began with Céspedes; Maceo, Gómez and Martí followed him. The revolution had in Mella and Villena pillars in the struggle, and finally triumphed on January 1st, 1959. But that triumph did not imply its final alliance. It was the beginning of a new path.

The Revolution cannot be understood as an immovable entity, stagnant in the realization of specific demands. The Revolution has to be permanent, it must go with the times. Fidel synthesized this approach in his famous Concept, which has become a declaration of principles:

"Revolution is having a sense of the historic moment; it is changing everything that must be changed; it is full equality and freedom; it is being treated and treating others like human beings; it is emancipating ourselves on our own and through our own efforts; it is challenging powerful dominant forces in and beyond the social and national arena; it is defending the values in which we believe at the price of any sacrifice; it is modesty, selflessness, altruism, solidarity, and heroism; it is fighting with courage, intelligence and realism; it is never lying or violating ethical principles; it is a profound conviction that there is no power in the world that can crush the power of truth and ideas. Revolution is unity; it is independence, it is struggling for our dreams of justice for Cuba and for the world, which is the foundation of our patriotism, our socialism, and our internationalism."

Outstanding Words.

Fidel's physical disappearance, five years ago on a day like today, shocked millions of Cubans. An entire country paid him the most meaningful tributes. One phrase went viral: "I am Fidel." It illustrated the conviction of a people: the continuity of a legacy. Fidel didn’t write on ice. Fidel wrote for eternity.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff

Add new comment

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.