Dear friends and comrades,

First of all, I would like to thank the collaboration of the director of the José Martí National Library and the workers that make possible a presentation of cultural activities is carried out here, in the same scene where Fidel Castro, the main leader of the Cuban revolution, addressed to many Cuban intellectuals  and he began those memorable meetings with the intellectuals, called then “Words to the almost 60 years ago. “

 I would also like to thank to the leadership members from the Cuba´s Communist Party, to those artists who are important figures of the Cuban art and literature who have come this morning.

 Miguel Barnet is here. He is a great Cuban poet, an essential figure of the Cuban culture, and an honorary president of UNEAC, Cuba’s union of writers and artists, after its initials in Spanish.

 I welcome Luis Morlote, president of Uneac; Abel Prieto, president of the Casa de las Américas cultural center, José Ernesto Nováez, Vice President of the Hermanos Saíz Association, which will celebrate its 35th anniversary this year.

 I also thank the attedance of other outstanding intellectuals and artists who have come today to be part of the following announcement:

 We officially present a program of cultural actividades as a commemoration to recall the words towards to intellectuals by Fidel Castro, 60 years ago. Culture workers along with the Ministry of Culture, cultural organizations, art teachers are part of such commemoration. This year, we will have a great celebration for the Cuban cultura and the young people will play the main role in such commemoration.

 The young people have prepared the promotional campaign for this conmemoration. They have been assumed with all their renewing energy the conception of these cultural activites. For them, it is as a new opportunity to continue deepening Fidel Castro’s ideas almost 60 yers ago. Despite of the pass of time, we recall “Words to the intellectuals” talk, that it is necessary, and it is the basis of the Cuban cultural policy.

The design of this campaign was conceived like the metaphor of the half-full or half-empty glass, whose ambiguity leads us to face

the diversity of views and interpretations occurring as part of day-to-day communication among human beings.

Fidel Castro initiated the dialogue with intellectuals at that time, and all of us along with the youngest generations of Cuban writers and artists should follow his example; we should talk in an honest and transparent way if we are interested in strengthening the Cuban cultura. It is a way for us to show commitment to the continuity.

 Hence the campaign slogan: "You have the floor". It refers to the last line of Fidel´s speech in which, he highliths the intellectual's responsibility towards the future generations. Those afore- mentioned generations are here today sharing with the older generations.

 It is, therefore, an invitation to exchange opinions, to confront ideas, to analize all kind of issues with responsibility and intellectual depth, based on ethics as an essential condition for the talk is frutiful.

 “Words to the Intellectuals” talks are the foundation of the Cuban cultural policy of the Revolution, which  has an humanist essence and the democratic nature following the doctrine of Jose Marti, our national hero. For that reason, and despite de US blockade against Cuba, this is a poor country that has over a million of professionals who have been well prepared at schools, universities and cultural and scientific institutions created by the revolution.  

 The Cuban cultural policy has played a main role in the history of the revolution. We should recall that the speech was delivered by Fidel Castro just a few weeks after the declaration of the socialist character of the Revolution and after the victory of the people in the strugle against the mercenary invasion in Playa Girón. Therefore, that speech  showed the revolutionary spirit of that significant time in our history.

 Also, in 1961 not only the “Words to the intellectuals” talks were carried out, but also the Literacy Campaign and and the first Congress of Writers and Artists when UNEAC was emerged.

 “Words to Intellectuals” speech was not only related to art issue; it finally turned into an inclusive platform, a call for a mass of people. At that time, Fidel Castro defended the right of the people in favor of the Revolution. In his speech, he noted: "We should only reject those incorregible reactionaries who are  againts the Cuban government." His ideas are still valid so many years after and they are the basis to an open and fraternal dialogue.

 Following those principles, the Cuban cultural policy was founded. Recognizing diversity and supporting some kind of experimentation and risk, some of the most outstanding periods of the Cuban art have been carried out with the pass of time. We have always fostered the critical and depth thinking. The avant-garde movements have always had the necessary support by the Cuban cultural institutions.

 We have kept the cultural traditions, the widespread and quality of the artistic teaching, the professional level of the dance companies, the solidity in the formation and virtuosity of the musicians, the diversity of the visual arts, the prestige of Cuban cinema, a mass of fans of theCuban literature. All these achivements are the result of the cultural policy we have concieved in Cuba.

 Certainly, the implementation of the cultural policy has not been exempted from mistakes, most of all when it must be accomplished

under harsh conditions, beacuse of the economical and politicial blockade imposed by the US goverment against Cuba; however and despite the most adverse circumstances our will to defend culture and contribute to the spiritual enrichment of the Cuban people have always prevailed.

 Education and culture are good examples to understand our socialist system and the Cuban revolution. Culture plays a significant role in the Cuban socialist project. As Fidel said: “The Revolution has emerged from culture and ideas.”

So, although we are not satisfied with what we have done, and we aware of those issues that need to be rectified through the cultural institutions throughout the country; we are very proud of what we have achieved so far.

 A great program of cultural actions will be carried out to recall that historical event with the support of cultural institutions and artists. All the provinces in Cuba have been scenes for such celebration.

They will have the opportunity to dialogue in many ways:      

• Exhibitions. For example: the Cuba´s National Library, will show documents, publications, photos, posters and audiovisual aids related to  those three meetings of Fidel with intellectuals. The National Museum of Fine Arts will show the retrospective of Antonia Eiriz, a Cuban painter that will take place in June, 2021. Both exhibitions will be moments of great significance for such celebration.

• The publication and republishing of books such as the compilation “Cultural Policy in the Revolutionary Period”  by Desiderio Navarro from the culture controversies in the 60s, which were written by Graziella Pogolotti and also taken from Fidel's speech, it will allow to put into context that crucial event and clarify it.

• Under the generic name "The Guests: Literature and Critics of the Revolution", young people will carry out an event in which they will analyze different stages of the literature and literary in Cuba after 1959, when the triumph of the revolution took place.

• Also, we are plannig to sponsor some short films shot by young filmmakers, addressing 60 events reflecting the impact of the Revolution has in the Cuban Culture.

• Following the same line, "Paseo QR: sixty  significant events in the history of the Cuban Revolution" will show posters along Paseo del Prado walk and in other emblematic of the country, in which the people will be able to scan a QR Code, to access downloadable materials that put in context works, historical stages, personalities, etc.

• They are orginizing a series of analysis called "Intellectuals and the Cuban revolution", which has been conceived as a space to reflex on the posible challenges that the intellectuals have to face for his participation in the process of the Cuban Revolution.

• The international event "Culture and Revolution: Words to Intellectuals, 60 years after" will contribute to an approach to sectors related to Cuban emigration and the intellectuals from Latin America and other parts of the world.

• Some actions to favor the dialogue among intellectuals, artists, teachers, scientists, communicators, they will takeplace in  different provinces of the country.

• UNEAC and AHS will join with activities to celebrate their 60 and 35 anniversaries, respectively.

This is just some examples of activities that will be carried out to recall that crucial event.

 I would like to conclude my presentation by confirming our commitment to the continuity of the cultural policy that Fidel Castro thought up in his dialogue called Words to intellectuals. I also confirm that the Cuban government will continue supporting the work of our artists as well as the defense and development of our culture.

 We are aware of US government attempts and the economic resources worth millions of dollars they have used for subversive purposes against the Cuban Revolution  through culture. We face it through the wisdom of the Cuban people, the talent of the Cuban intellectuals and artists, and the committment they have with the Cuban Revolution. 

Definitely, the future and social welfare of Cuban people are linked with the defense and development of our cultura, our identity. As Fidel Castro said: “Without cultura there is no possible freedom.”

So, I would like to thank you again for being here and we count on your support to promote these cultural activies that we wil carry out throughout this year, in favor of our culture and identity.