August 13, 2015 marked the 89th birthday of
Fidel Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban revolution.
Millions of people around the world respect
and admire Fidel for his decisive and
revolutionary role before, during and after the
Cuban Revolution up until today. In Cuba,
millions of people participated in block parties
and cultural events to celebrate his birthday.
In Vancouver, over a hundred people joined
Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with
Cuba (VCSC) on Saturday August 15th
to Celebrate the life of Fidel Castro with
an evening of live music, film, trivia and
refreshments!
The Vancouver event to celebrate Fidel’s
birthday was one of VCSC’s monthly ‘Cuba
Cultural and Film Nights’. The program began
with the showing of “Looking for Fidel” a
documentary by Oliver Stone interviewing
Comandante Fidel Castro. Next, MC Tamara
Hansen, coordinator of VCSC, introduced
the first musical performance of the night,
Maria Melendez, Beto Fuentes & Alfonso
Marroquin who performed beautiful Latin-
American classics. The audience then enjoyed
another musical performance by the multi-
talented musician MX Katracho.
Following the moving music, Tamara
Hansen, coordinator of VCSC spoke about
the importance of Fidel’s legacy. Fidel has
provided a model of the kind of revolutionary
leadership that could make it possible for
humanity to advance and to achieve their
highest moral integrity.
Next, participants were treated to another
musical performance by Sangre Morena,
a beautiful musical duo bringing Spanish-
Flamenco songs to life!
Tamara Hansen then welcomed up
Rejean, singer and guitar player from
Vancouver Island . Rejean soon had
everyone in the audience singing along
to his cover of Bob Marley’s song “Get
up, Stand up”.
The feeling of inspiration and
celebration were warm in the air. Many
took some time to pick up VCSC’s
educational materials on Cuba, buy
some raffle tickets or get to know
the people sitting next to them. Soon
the room broke out into the “Happy
Birthday” song and participants were
invited to blow out the candles on the
cake to celebrate Fidel’s 89th
birthday
as they shouted ¡Viva Fidel!.
Proceeds from the event were donated
to the “Initiativa Rumbo a Cuba”
campaign to bring a freezer truck and
tractor to the ‘Julio Antonio Mella’
Volunteer Work Camp (CIJAM)
in Caimito, Cuba and towards the
Vancouver Communities in Solidarity
with Cuba (VCSC) campaign to end
the US blockade on Cuba.
The following day, Vancouver
Communities in Solidarity with Cuba
participated in the 2015 Vancouver
Latin Summer Fest held at Trout Lake
park. Latin Summer Fest is an annual
public community event organized by
Latinos in Action.
Supporters of Cuba handed out
hundreds of materials about Cuba and
directed people to the VCSC booth.
The booth was busy throughout the day
with people stopping by to learn about
the Cuban revolution and its amazing
achievements and to signa a petition
demanding the U.S. government to lift
the blockade on Cuba.
Vancouver Communities in Solidarity
with Cuba (VCSC) organizes monthly
events and outreach activities in Solidarity
with Cuba. Through those activities VCSC
has reached people in Vancouver and British
Columbia who are finding out more about
Cuba and learning about the gains of the
Cuban revolution.
Join us in September as we participate in the
International Days of Action Against the U.S.
Blockade on Cuba!
1) Sept 17 - Picket Action to
End the U.S. Blockade on Cuba!
2) Sept 17 - Forum & Discussion –
Reestablishing U.S./Cuba Relations & the
Necessity of Lifting the U.S. Blockade on Cuba
3) Sept 18 - Dance & Fundraiser Night -
¡Fiesta Cubana!
For more information visit:
www.vancubasolidarity.com
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