Before him, others were born in the cities and fields of the archipelago who contributed significantly to shaping the Cuban being and feeling. We came together from very far away, as the poet said. But given the distances and time, it was necessary that the birth of the one designated for harmony occurred 171 years ago on Havana’s Paula Street.
He was the first-born child of Leonor Pérez Cabrera and Mariano Martí in Cuba that was still struggling to be independent from the Spanish metropolis. Blood had already been shed for that, but the canary’s eye was yet to be revealed as widespread and deep sensibility to perfect himself as a human being and developed multiple intellectual talents, which made him shine among his highest contemporary exponents.
However, who came into the world on January 28, 1853, lived in such a way that he subordinated all the glories gained to the superior revolutionary political purpose of making Cuba a homeland, not only independent but a republic with everyone and for the good of all, respectful and respected in the world, alert against the threats of the new American imperial power and sister of the nations of Our America.
That is why when José Julián Martí Pérez is named, each Cuban recognizes him as the most universal of all compatriots. And perhaps among the greatest merits to highlight in his maturity is the feat of joining the new generation of different ages into a solid bundle, the Cuban Revolutionary Party of which he was the founding Delegate, to hold the sword that had been dropped in the first attempt overcoming the disunity that had made him fail.
The exemplary nature of Martí’s work of unity for Cubans at the end of the 19th century, whose forge was hindered by Yankee intervention, encouraged Fidel Castro Ruz to fight and win the Cuban Revolution in 1959 and achieve definitive independence. From the beginning of the final stage, José Martí was identified as the intellectual author of the actions of the generation of the Centennial of his birth anniversary. The Commander in Chief always referred to Martí in the work of the Revolution.
Given the serious current challenges to correct distortions and re-boost the economy, the unity of Cubans is one of the priorities, reiterated by the President of the Republic Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. The elements to strengthen that unity, bequeathed to Cubans from Martí and through Fidel, were raised by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz in his speech given on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution, in Santiago de Cuba.
This 171st birth anniversary of José Martí will be another celebration of the birth of our essential need for harmony, to ensure the victorious continuity of the Cuban Revolution.
Translated by Liubis Balart Martínez
