The event, which has become Cuban Culture Day, recalls that the lyrics of that march to combat on October 20, 1868, written by patriot Perucho Figueredo, later became the National Anthem.
Only the first two of the six original stanzas went down in history: Al combate corred, bayameses, / que la patria os contempla orgullosa. / No temáis una muerte gloriosa / que morir por la Patria es vivir. / En cadenas vivir, es vivir / en afrenta y oprobio sumido. / Del clarín escuchad el sonido, / A las armas valientes, corred!
“Our tribute to all those who made the Cuban nation,” indicated the text posted on Twitter under the hashtags #LaPatriaPrimero, #LaTierraDeMisAmores, #ElMambí, and #CubaEsCultura.
The celebration started on October 10, marking the 154th anniversary of the beginning of the wars for Cuba’s independence, when patriot lawyer Carlos Manuel de Céspedes (1819-1874) liberated his slaves and called the Cubans to take up arms.
According to the organizers, the main objective of the celebration is to exalt the richness of the culture through concerts, exhibitions, panels, and workshops that, amid a recovery process after Hurricane Ian, will not lose their spiritual essence.
As part of the festivities, the 27th edition of the Alicia Alonso Havana International Ballet Festival will be inaugurated this Thursday until November 13, in which national and foreign dancers will participate.
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