Cárdenas, Matanzas -He is still alive in the cemetery of Cárdenas. It is March 13 and 68 years have passed since those events that shook a country. The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, arrived at the family cemetery, where the remains of José Antonio Echeverría rest, to pay tribute to the student leader, murdered on this day in 1957, very close to the University of Havana, minutes after the historic assault on Radio Reloj.
The national flag and that of the University Student Federation waved on high, vigilant before the sacred site that treasures the remains of the eternal Honorary President of the FEU, under the gaze of the marble angel.
A wreath was placed by Meyvis Estevez, first secretary of the National Committee of the Young Communist League and Ricardo Rodriguez, top leader of the organization of Cuban university students.
Then, the first to place a flower was the Head of State, along with Party and government authorities in the province, political and student organizations.
The tribute continued in one of the most emblematic sites of the city of Cardenas. On Genes Street, No. 240, is located the José Antonio Echeverría Birthplace Museum, where one of the most beloved sons of Matanzas and Cuba was born on July 16, 1932.
The president toured the imposing building, beautifully preserved, in which visitors can approach the life of the young man who decided to fight for the Revolution, and was shot dead by the Batista dictatorship, with only 24 years old.
Matanzas students of Medical Sciences and several university specialties were in a new "encounter with history", as part of those convened by the President in recent months (previously in Baire, and also in San Lorenzo).
Journalist Wilmer Rodríguez Fernández, author of the book Tiempos de definiciones, narrated -from his deep studies on the subject- what happened in Havana on March 13, 1957, in the Assault on the Presidential Palace and the seizure of Radio Reloj, that day full of setbacks, but also of courage and love for the Homeland, a speech that was described by the Cuban President as "a master class in history."
"This is a subject that historians are still studying, because it has multiple edges, due to the multiplicity of actors involved; and in which the history of Cuba has one of the greatest military and political events in the fight against the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista," said the young researcher.
Then, President Díaz-Canel's questions invited to the debate: what do you see in José Antonio as a paradigm of these times, what is his legacy for today's youth?
Then, the young people spoke from the point of view of the times they lived in, and told how, in the university classrooms, the revolutionary student leader summons them every day to defend the principles that brought us here.
In the Museum hall, full of dreams and convictions, concepts such as: "history is controversial and beautiful, and as Fidel says, we must have a sense of the historical moment"; "although each era is different, we can be eternally inspired by José Antonio Echeverría"; "history connects us through emotions and feelings with the commitment we have to defend it"; "university students have the mission to continue being the FEU of conscience and joy at the forefront."
While exchanging with the students, Díaz-Canel reflected on the challenges facing the youth today, inspired by the example of José Antonio and the boys of his generation, young people willing to give their lives for an ideal.
"José Antonio wanted a better homeland and a better world," said the president, after discussing the challenges facing Cuban youth in the current scenario, when their contribution is decisive in all sectors of economic and social life.
He affirmed that, in today's Cuba, "the main thing is to defend the Revolution", preserve it in the face of all attacks and perfect the revolutionary work, always taking care of unity.
"If we are convinced, and one of the inspiring and paradigmatic elements is someone like José Antonio, especially among university students, then we are assuming our commitment and our responsibility to fight for a better country and a better world," Díaz-Canel reflected.
At the exit of the Birthplace Museum, in the José Antonio Echeverría Square, the Cuban President greeted a representation of the people of Cardenas, protagonist of the traditional pilgrimage to the local cemetery.
The President commented on the experiences of Thursday morning, in which "a historical reflection was made on the validity of the ideas and legacy of José Antonio"; and stressed the importance of keeping his thought in the commitments of the Cuban youth with the defense of the revolutionary principles, in the complex circumstances we are living.
"Thanks to Cárdenas for the opportunity to be in this symbolic place," said Díaz-Canel to the men and women gathered in the historic center of the city.
