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Cuban Revolution

José Antonio Echeverría, the assault on the Presidential Palace, on March 13, 1957

Tribute from a grateful homeland
March 13, 1957, will continue to be a historic date that resonates with Cubans

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Author: Mauricio Escuela | informacion@granma.cu
march 11, 2016 09:03:54

The former Presidential Palace is now the Museum of the Revolution. Photo: Jose M. Correa
March 13, 1957 will continue to be a historic date that resonates with Cubans.
Over the coming days, Cuban university students, members of the Revolutionary Directorate of the time and patriots in general, will commemorate, as they do every year, the assault on the Presidential Palace, on March 13, 1957. José Antonio Echeverría, president of the Federation of University Students at the time, led a group of students from the University of Havana that day, in an attempt to bring down the tyranny of Batista. This feat would clear the way for those who would later, from the Sierra Maestra, eventually bring freedom to the country.

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José Antonio Echeverría

Beyond the program of activities, the tribute will speak to the very essence of those members of the Directorate who, as Martí would say, carried within them the shame of many, facing the beast in its own lair and attacking one of the most important and wide reaching radio stations, Radio Reloj.
Scheduled to take place are moments of silence and reflection, announcements, and the playing of the National Anthem. Cuban classrooms will be the perfect space to recall an unforgettable moment in the island’s history. The function rooms of the Museum of the Revolution (former Presidential Palace), will receive those who participated in the assault, who instead of weapons will bring ideas, dreams, concrete plans for the nation and much respect for José Antonio Echeverría, martyr, leader and a man who, together with so many others, never feared retribution and embodied the maxim: “To die for the homeland is to live.”
In the early days of January 1959, following the triumph of the Revolution, Fidel spoke from the balcony of the Presidential Palace, which from that moment ceased to be a space for evil and became the site of many positive actions, benefiting the Cuban people. This was a promise encompassing the essence of Martí’s thought, made reality. March 13 is the day that the grateful Cuban people pay tribute to these martyrs. A white rose symbolizing purity and appreciation will be placed at the statue of the brave José Antonio Echeverria

Cuban Medicine

Young Americans grateful for the opportunity to study medicine in Cuba

Young Americans grateful for the opportunity to study medicine in Cuba
Young people for the U.S. studying medicine in Havana welcomed news of the visit by President Obama to Cuba, and hope that the rapprochement between the two countries is mutually beneficial.

Author: Nuria Barbosa León | informacion@granma.cu
march 8, 2016 10:03:22

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ELAM students Shaneen Whyte, Patrick Daley and Jontay Darko. Photo: Orlando Perera (courtesy of ICAP)
Young people for the U.S. studying medicine in Havana welcomed news of the visit by President Obama to Cuba, and hope that the rapprochement between the two countries is mutually beneficial.

“I hope that during this visit March 21 and 22, there is an open and sincere dialogue, with agreements that are good for the two peoples,” Jontay Darko, a 5th year medical sciences student at the Salvador Allende Faculty in Havana, told Granma International. The faculty forms part of the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM), which has graduated more than 24,000 health professionals from 84 countries, in its over 15 years of existence.

Continue reading Young Americans grateful for the opportunity to study medicine in Cuba →

Uncategorized

Confirmed: The Rolling Stones to play in Cuba

Confirmed: The Rolling Stones to play in Cuba
The concert will kick off at 8:30 p.m. in the grounds of Havana’s Ciudad Deportiva with a capacity of 50,000 people and one of the largest stages the band has ever performed on
Author: Michel Hernández | michel@granma.cu
march 3, 2016 11:03:03

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Photo: www.rollingstones.com
In a press release issued March 1, legendary British rock band the Rolling Stones confirmed the news everyone had been waiting for: that they will play a free concert in Havana’s Ciudad Deportiva on March 25. The symbolic show will be a landmark event for both Cuba and the British group, set to perform for an audience who have been dreaming of seeing the world’s greatest rock band perform live for more than 40 years, not to mention the fact that it represents one of the most transcendental music events to take place in the country for the last 50 years. 
The show entitled Concierto por la amistad(Concert for friendship)will mark the end of their Olé Tour of Latin America, which began in February. The band’s statement posted on their website noted: “We have performed in many special places during our long career but this show in Havana is going to be a landmark event for us, and, we hope, for all our friends in Cuba too.”
The statement goes on to say that the group – in coordination with the Cuban Music Institute – will donate instruments to Cuban artists across all musical genres.
Over the week leading up to the concert, the British Embassy will organize a series of music events taking place around the capital, featuring local bands performing classic rock n’ roll songs, as well as talks on the genre and its notable expansion in Cuba since the 1960s.

Cuba / Religion

Raúl presents Patriarch Kirill with the José Martí Order

Raúl presents Patriarch Kirill with the José Martí Order
The highest decoration awarded by the Cuban state, was presented to Patriarch Kirill in a ceremony presided by the President of the Councils of State and Ministers Raúl Castro Ruz, at the Palace of the Revolution

Author: National news staff | informacion@granma.cu
february 14, 2016 10:02:27

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Photo: Jorge Luis González
The José Martí Order, the highest decoration awarded by the Cuban state, was presented to Patriarch Kirill in a ceremony presided by the President of the Councils of State and Ministers Raúl Castro Ruz, at Havana’s Palace of the Revolution this Saturday, February 13.

Speaking at the ceremony, Homero Acosta, secretary of the Council of State, noted the excellent relations between Cuba and Russia, based on deep bonds of friendship and respect. He stressed in this regard the role of the Russian Orthodox Church, which has helped to spread the highest values.

“His Holiness has expressed this precious heritage that unites us, since his first visit in 1995,” Acosta stated, whilst recalling the significance of the Our Lady of Kazan Orthodox Cathedral in Havana, the foundation stones of which were laid by the Patriarch himself, together with the leader the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, in 2004. “It is a fitting monument to a Church that promotes dialogue and understanding between peoples,” he said.

We present this decoration, the highest awarded by our country, as an expression of respect and affection for the Russian Orthodox Church, the Russian people and His Holiness, he concluded.

In his acceptance speech, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia expressed his gratitude to the Cuban people, whilst adding a special personal thanks to Raúl “for placing a high value on my modest efforts.”

Relations between Cuba and Russia have historical roots, but they acquired special significance during the second half of the twentieth century, the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church recalled. “We know how bravely the Soviet people worked together with the Cubans in the struggle for justice. That experience of cooperation is part of our historical memory and this special affection of our people for the Cuban people has been preserved.

“I have considered it my duty to support these relations in our society, and do everything possible so that the relations between our states and peoples reach a new level, higher and more active. This is the award for the entire Russian Orthodox Church, because to some extent you have honored all our people, who maintain a deep compassion for your hardworking people,” Patriach Kirill stated.

He recalled the visit by the leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro to the former USSR and concluded in Spanish, by means of gratitude to the Cuban people and President Raúl: Viva Cu