Cuban President Honors José Martí on His 172nd Birth Anniversary

Photo: Archive

January 28, 2025 Hour: 1:59 pm

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel paid tribute on Tuesday to José Martí (1853–1895), the national hero of Cuba, emphasizing the enduring admiration and respect for the independence leader.

Related:

The March of the Torches: A Tribute to José Martí and the Struggle for Freedom

“Each year, the flame of admiration and respect grows for the apostle of our independence, who is also a symbol of our deep anti-imperialism. Martí lives on in all those who refuse to be dazzled or intimidated by the unruly and brutal North that despises us,” Díaz-Canel wrote on social media platform X, commemorating Martí’s 172nd birth anniversary.

On Monday night, Díaz-Canel led the March of the Torches, a symbolic pilgrimage carried out by youth and students. The march proceeds from the University of Havana’s Grand Staircase to the Fragua Martiana, a historical site where Martí performed forced labor during his political imprisonment.

During this Tuesday’s celebrations, primary schools across Cuba hosted the “Martí Parade,” where children embodied characters from Martí’s works, many of which were written for young audiences and published in his famous magazine, La Edad de Oro.

Cada año crece la llama de admiración y respeto al Apóstol de nuestra independencia, que lo es también de nuestro profundo antimperialismo. #MartíVive en todos los que no se dejan deslumbrar ni amedrentar por "el Norte revuelto y brutal que nos desprecia”. pic.twitter.com/wHMmo1qdRi
— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) January 28, 2025

Coinciding with the anniversary, the VI International Conference for the Balance of the World began at the Palace of Conventions in Havana. Dedicated to Martí, the event brings together intellectuals and academics from various countries to discuss themes inspired by his legacy.

Eduardo Torres Cuevas, a historian and one of the event’s organizers, highlighted Martí’s visionary thought during a press conference, stating, “Martí’s ideas were not just for Cuba; he was a universal thinker.” He emphasized Martí’s contributions to dialogues on peace, unity, and solidarity, positioning him as “the most universal of all Cubans.”

Martí’s ideals and strategic plans served as a guiding force in Cuba’s struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule, and his legacy continues to inspire movements worldwide.

The conference, which celebrates Martí’s global influence, will run in Havana through Friday.