January 28, 2008

Five years ago, Cuba’s capital hosted the International Conference "For World Equilibrium", which was attended by delegates from forty three countries of all continents, to honor Martí on the occasion of his 150th birthday.

I talked to them all on the evening of January 29 of that year 2003. By a mere chance --or rather, by more than a single chance-- that moment of 1953 repeated itself, although under significantly different circumstances.

Back in 1953 we had to honor Marti’s memory by liberating our Homeland from the imperialist yoke. This time it was necessary to wage our struggle in the field of ideas to counter the threats against humanity uttered by the US President in his speech at the West Point Academy. What I said on that day, which is consistent with my deepest convictions, has become a starting point for most of the reflections I wrote during the period of convalescence I went through.

It is my modest tribute to the Master. I likewise salute the hundreds of intellectuals, men and women of thought, who once again gather with the same purpose of paying tribute to José Martí on the occasion of his155th birthday. I could not find any better words to honor him! I would request our press to publish it, if possible, in the inner pages, to avoid taking space from other important news about this commemoration.

Fidel Castro Ruz