The assault on the Moncada barracks on July 26, 1953, marked a milestone in the history of Cuba and left its mark in the life of every Cuban.
The assault on the Moncada barracks on July 26, 1953, marked a milestone in the history of Cuba and left its mark in the life of every Cuban.
A few days before the event, heroic protagonists, altruism, and the connotation of the assault come to mind, given its significance to the country.
That event inspires multitasking actions in economic, political or social order and uniquely attracts composers and artists.
The first musical composition dedicated to the historical attack was the own Anthem 26 de Julio that was composed in the days before the attack, when the revolutionary leader Fidel Castro asked Agustin Diaz Cartaya to create a piece that would accompany the assailants of the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes barracks.
In an interview to the press, the author of explained that he initially entitled the singing battle Marcha de la Libertad to, and after the attacks, he changed a verse.
The final version of the anthem of 26 de Julio took place in February 1957, to be set to music, and since then the anthem was present in prisons, militant actions and Radio Rebelde station’s broadcasts from the Sierra Maestra.
After the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, other artists have reflected their feelings in pieces that the Moncada deeds and its significance for the future have inspired to them.
Carlos Puebla, with its unique way of dealing with the most important events has left for posterity in his verse:
"The Moncada showed us / the path to take / and from that lofty example / for us it is always 26.
The diva of the Cuban song, Omara Portuondo, performed for first time in 1967 at the meeting of the Political Song, held that year in Casa de las Americas, the song Siempre 26, authored by Martin Rojas.
Her excellent voice quality, vast expressive resources and great interpretative versatility were combined with the lyricism of the song to create the immortal piece.
In the years following the troubadour Noel Nicola, to sing the significance of the historic event, he said: "There is a calendar full of 26", while Silvio Rodriguez, in another of his creations, he wrote: "Everyone has their Moncada."
Moncada own group, as it’s explained by its director Jorge Gomez, summarized the event that the date of July 26 is expected to festivities, as the happiest day of the motherland ... to give us one of his songs in chorus: \ "The 26 is the happiest day ever! \" ...
Ways of doing and saying of different generations, which show a common message, as the assault on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Cespedes barracks, the July 26, 1953, is permanent source of inspiration for Cubans.
(With information from the ACN)
Translation: Liubis Balart Martínez