EDITORIAL: Culture and Nation

The Cuban Revolution, from Céspedes to Fidel, has essentially been a cultural revolution.

Over and over again it has been said that culture is all adjectives, that it’s not essential in society. The truth is that it’s possible to live without having access to certain art expressions, but living without culture (comprehensibly speaking) is simply impossible, unless the human condition is given up. Culture and humanity are indissoluble concepts. Culture is the work of man.

Cuba celebrates every October 20^th the Day of National Culture. It’s remembered the day of 1868 when, according to tradition, the people of Bayamo sang together with Perucho Figueredo the anthem of the nascent revolution, the current National Anthem.

It’s no coincidence that patriotic sentiment has combined the creative flow of a people: the idea of ​​Cuban identity, the notions defended by the heroes of the first war for independence, were born with the autonomous expression of their own culture, distinctive. Delineating the causes of the war to merely commercial disputes with Spain would be like ignoring the strength and aspirations for freedom and dignity of a new people.

Nation is culture; cultural are the bonds that consolidate a people.

The Day of Cuban Culture is not, therefore, only the day of artists (which it’s also their day, of course), but also of all those who know they are part of a multiple network, of a symbolic and integrating sphere.

Culture reaffirms us as a people, offers us moral support, distinguishes us from the universal concert. Cuba is its culture.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff