Vol. 73/No. 32      August 24, 2009

“July 26, 1953, is the day of the assault by Cuban youth, led by Fidel Castro, on the Moncada military garrison. This was the launch of our revolutionary struggle against the Batista dictatorship,” Dario de Urra, Cuban ambassador to Lebanon, told the participants. “Six years later the Cuban people were victorious. And since then, for over 50 years Cuba has resisted the siege by the U.S.” The festival was held at the UNESCO Palace.

“To this day, this revolution continues to be a beacon of hope for people worldwide. Today’s event is an expression of the growing support for the Cuban Revolution,” de Urra said. “We salute the resistance of the Lebanese people against the Zionist enemy. This small people has given an example to others.”

De Urra said that this year’s festival is dedicated to the Cuban Five, who have been held in the prisons of the United States for nearly 11 years.

Following the ambassador’s remarks, Lebanese filmmaker Jean Chamoun presented a documentary on the 1978 World Youth and Student Festival held in Cuba. Chamoun was a delegate from Lebanon to that festival.

The Beirut festival included a live concert from the Cuban band Son Cubano. Hundreds of people danced to the salsa rhythms of the group. Following the concert, Cuban cuisine and mojitos were available. There was an art exhibit as well as entertainment for children. Scores of people milled around while Cuban cigar makers showed their skills making cigars, which were then purchased by participants.

The day long festival was organized by an ad hoc committee and was sponsored by several companies, including the Lebanese national air carrier Middle East Airlines, Havana Club, the daily newspapers Al-Akhbar and Al-Safir, the Communist Party of Lebanon radio station Sawt al-Shaab, the Lebanese musical production house Eleftheriadis, and the video production house Red Line.
 
 
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