Cuban youth mobilize in mass national volunteer effort

Images via Estudios Revolución

By Alina Perera Robbio, translated from the Spanish

April 4 has a special symbolism for Cuba. This year, it was a day to celebrate the 64th anniversaries of the Union of Young Communists (UJC), and the 65th of the José Martí Pioneers Organization (OPJM). On Sunday, April 5, starting early in the morning, Cuban youth marked the anniversaries by engaging in a day of volunteer work across the island, focusing on both agricultural efforts and the construction of photovoltaic solar parks.

At the base of the furrow, beneath a sun that had not yet dispelled the morning fog, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, participated in planting activities this Sunday in the municipality of Bauta, located in the province of Artemisa. In this setting, multiple generations of Cubans engaged in agricultural tasks, highlighting the significance of food production right now.

"To produce is to resist, and to create is to win," he had recalled a few days ago during a meeting with notable young individuals from various sectors of Cuban society. With this in mind, the productive day took place in Artemisa, also attended by Roberto Morales Ojeda, a member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, along with Meyvis Estévez Echevarría, the First Secretary of the National Committee of the UJC.

After the planting day concluded, Mirthia Julia Brossard Oris, a representative from the National Bureau of the UJC responsible for the Ideological Sphere, told the Revolution's leaders and other members of the Communist Party and the Youth that despite the challenging circumstances the Caribbean nation is facing—now worsened by the intensified imperial blockade—the Fourth of April continues to be celebrated.

The youth leader highlighted activities that were undertaken, including mobilizations for food production, forums to protest the blockade, mountain climbs, pioneering tribunals titled "I Accuse Imperialism," kite flying for peace and against the imperial siege, cultural festivals, and concerts in city parks and main squares, along with recognizing outstanding young people with decorations.

Mirthia Julia Brossard emphasized that one of the most memorable moments of the anniversary celebrations was the meeting held by the President in the Protocol Hall of Laguito in the capital with a group of outstanding young people. During this meeting, he shared ideas on the significant contributions the new generations can make in their communities, especially now, as these communities have become crucial due to the various challenges, particularly energy-related, that the country is currently facing.

"In Cuba, the youth do not surrender. In these challenging and creative times, our commitment is to engage, inspire, and involve all young people in key tasks, especially those that benefit the communities."

The day, highlighted by music and the talent of young repentistas from the Cuban Point project at the Casa de la Décima de Mayabeque, was an ideal occasion for President Díaz-Canel, comrade Roberto Morales Ojeda, and the First Secretary of the UJC, Meyvis Estévez Echevarría, to present the Communist Youth militant card to 18 Cubans representing various sectors of Cuban society.

This work was translated and shared via a License CC-BY-NC