"The television and newspapers here in Algeria continue to publish daily reports on preparations for the festival, which are going full steam ahead," said Frómeta, a member of the International Organizing Committee for the youth gathering.

Special steps have been taken to facilitate transportation to the festival, given the long distances many young people will be traveling. "For example, arrangements have been made with one airline to offer a sharply discounted $125 round-trip fare between Barcelona, Spain, and Algeria, for festival participants," he reported. Many people traveling from Europe and the Americas are expected to take advantage of this fare.

Frómeta said that at least 1,000 youth are coming from the Americas. Cuba will have a delegation of 600, the largest from the region. "This includes 250 international students who are currently going to school in Cuba, especially from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. The other 350 will be Cuban students, young workers, professionals, and others." Hundreds more will come from Venezuela, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and other parts of the continent, including the United States.

"There will be delegates from Puerto Rico," Frómeta noted. "And I should point out that one day of the festival will be devoted to solidarity with the people of Puerto Rico, especially the fight to get the U.S. Navy out of Vieques."

Because of its location in North Africa, the festival will have an especially large participation from the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa. "The National Preparatory Committee from Algeria reports that there will be 1,100 delegates from their country, including from every single region. And another 1,500 Algerian youth have volunteered to work at the festival as guides and helping organize the event."

For more information on attending the World Festival of Youth and Students, see the ad on this page.  
 
 
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