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Lucius Walker: peace, justice and love for an Island

On September 7, 2011 the reverend founder of Pastors for Peace passed away

Author:  | internet@granma.cu

september 8, 2025 07:09:37

His dedication to the Cuban cause was also demonstrated by his great affection for the historic leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz. Photo: Ahmed Velázquez

For those who “to do is the best way to say” -as expressed by Apostle José Martí-, death is not synonymous with oblivion. Proof of this is the legacy of Reverend Lucius Walker, which endures even 15 years after his physical departure.
Walker, who was born in New Jersey in 1930, became involved in the movement for the civil rights of African-Americans, guided by Reverend Martin Luther King.
“In addition to being a father, grandfather, social worker and educator, he was also a social activist dedicated to various causes related to justice,” said his daughter Gail Walker, on the anniversary of Lucius Walker’s death on September 7.
She remarked that the reverend fought against the wounds of African-American society: segregation in schools, public transportation and other areas of life, so his commitment to racial equality was a constant in his life.
But it was his relationship with Cuba that cemented his legacy as an advocate for social justice and international solidarity. He dedicated himself to building bridges of solidarity that challenged the economic blockade imposed on the island, while his struggle in the United States continued.
Walker founded Pastors for Peace, an organization that led more than 20 humanitarian caravans in support of Cuba, overcoming the various obstacles placed by the enemies of the Revolution, including U.S. Government.
His caravans, composed of U.S. citizens, not only transported humanitarian aid, but were also a way to challenge the official narrative in the North about the largest of the Antilles, and thus demonstrate solidarity with its people. Walker understood that the blockade not only affected the national economy, but also harmed the most vulnerable.
He made his own the struggle for the return to the island of child Elián González, as well as the release and return to the homeland of the Five Heroes. His dedication to the Cuban cause was also demonstrated by his great affection for the historic leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz.
So much was his love and dedication to Cuba that, in fulfillment of his last wish, Lucius Walker’s ashes rest in this Caribbean island.

Fidel Castro's Birthday

Fidel, the root of the tree

Fidel, the root of the tree

Raúl and Díaz-Canel presided over the political and cultural event honoring the Commander-in-Chief’s 99th birthday. This day marked the beginning of the program commemorating Fidel’s centenary

Author:  | internet@granma.cu

august 14, 2025 08:08:19

Photo: Estudios Revolución

In Birán, fertile land of men who shape the future, Cuba celebrated the 99th birthday of the Commander-in-Chief on Wednesday, as it did throughout the country, a tribute that marked the beginning of a greater celebration: the commemorative program for Fidel’s centenary, which is, as the poet would say, “the root of the tree.”
The celebration in the historic complex, sheltered by a leafy carob tree and the cedars that almost a century ago sheltered the birth of a symbol, was presided over by another extraordinary son of that Holguín land, the most loyal Fidel supporter among Cubans, his brother in blood and ideas, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, leader at the forefront of the Cuban Revolution.
Alongside Raúl, at that site which was the starting point in the history of the homeland, were First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez; as well as other members of the Political Bureau, leaders of the Party, the State and the Government, the Union of Young Communists, mass organizations, the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, and a representation of young people from the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, and Holguín.
And in a special way, the youth solidarity brigade from several countries around the world participated in this day of remembrance, reaffirming that Cuba is not alone.
With the certainty that Fidel is a country and, rather than evoking him, it is time to bring him into the present and continue his legacy with deeds, Roberto Morales Ojeda, Member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of Organization of the Party’s Central Committee, reviewed the Commander’s fruitful life, which began in the batey of Birán and changed the course of history forever.

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Cuban Culture

Fidel and culture, the eternal battle

Fidel and culture, the eternal battle

As a follower of Martí, he knew that to be free, one had to be cultured. Culture was one of the names of the happiness the Revolution longed to give its people

Author:  | informacion@granmai.cu

august 8, 2025 08:08:44

In the scope of Cuban culture and its depth is Fidel’s legacy

Culture, in its broadest concept, was a permanent obsession for Fidel, who was convinced of the crucial role it played in the transformation of a society that was making its debut in Revolution. Without it, he said, “there is no possible freedom”.
Aware of the spiritual sustenance that culture provides, and of the strength it brings to a people, Fidel would have it among the top priorities of the Revolutionary Government, which had to sow the ideals that the new times were demanding.
Although -and recalling Cintio- it was astonishing “the fertilization erasing the countless frustrations, the unspeakable humiliations, the meticulous nightmares!”, it was also true that “other combats were beginning then”.
Led by its leader, the young Revolution was a titanic undertaking that, three months after its triumph, founded the National Printing House of Cuba and made its debut, not for nothing, with an edition of one hundred thousand copies of The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha.

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Cuban Sports

The Summer Beach and Sea Sports Festival is taking place on Havana’s beaches

An initiative that multiplies summer options

The Summer Beach and Sea Sports Festival is taking place on Havana’s beaches until August 13

Author:  | deportes@granma.cu

august 8, 2025 08:08:10

It will be possible to compete in volleyball, field hockey, wrestling, badminton and soccer, all in their sand version, as well as sailing, apnea, aquathlon and other modalities. Photo: ACN

A party is going on these days on the beaches of Havana’s coast, with the celebration of the First Summer Sea and Beach Sports Festival, which will be held until August 13.
The inauguration took place at the Gerardo Abreu Fontán Social Worker’s Circle, in the municipality of Playa, and will also see action at the Félix Elmuza and Otto Parellada entities, and at the Villa Bacuranao and Guanabo beaches.
The activities are aimed at healthy leisure and recreation for the Cuban family during the summer season, and will include volleyball, field hockey, wrestling, badminton and soccer, all in their sand version, as well as sailing, apnea, aquathlon and other modalities.
The Festival will not only have a sports section, but will also be useful for technical training, with workshops and educational spaces.
The program, sponsored by Inder, responds not only to the promotion of a new summer initiative, but also to the precept of sport for all, always defended by our social project.
Sport is making a comeback in this summer 2025, along with other options for enjoyment, and as a platform for physical wellbeing and social cohesion.
In addition to the sports activities, ecological workshops, artistic presentations and spaces for local art have been announced, in order to guarantee options for all ages and social sectors.
The project will also be valid to promote environmental care, as it will develop sanitation and cleaning initiatives in the natural scenarios chosen as venues.
The first edition of this event will conclude with a tribute to our greatest athlete, Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, on the 99th anniversary of his birth; a well-deserved recognition to the man who put all his efforts to bring ideas like this to the people.