SANTIAGO DE CUBA – The José Martí Mausoleum at Santa Ifigenia Heritage Cemetery became the focal point of national reverence as Cubans from all generations assembled to commemorate the 173rd anniversary of their National Hero’s birth. The solemn ceremony featured precise military protocols, including an honor guard rotation and ceremonial artillery salutes, creating an atmosphere of profound historical significance.
In a demonstration of unified national respect, floral tributes arrived from three distinguished sources: Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban Revolution; Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Communist Party Central Committee and President of the Republic; and the collective Cuban populace. Students from the Camilo Cienfuegos Military School executed the ceremonial placement of these offerings with precision, accompanied by the poignant melody of ‘Single Verses.’
The commemorative activities extended beyond Martí’s resting place to include tributes at the monuments of foundational national figures: Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, Mariana Grajales, and the late Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, recognized as Martí’s most devoted disciple. These gestures highlighted the continuous revolutionary lineage that shapes contemporary Cuban identity.
University student Javier Borges Nápoles articulated the enduring relevance of Martí’s ideology, noting: ‘Martí’s warning about the seven-league giant remains pertinent today as we face direct threats. Our commitment remains unwavering in defending our independence, achieved through over a century of struggle and sacrifice.’
The ceremony was presided over by Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, Central Committee member and Provincial First Secretary, alongside high-ranking government officials, military commanders, and representatives from political and social organizations. The traditional noon artillery salute—21 rounds fired simultaneously from Santa Ifigenia and Havana’s San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress—provided a powerful auditory homage to Cuba’s most universal historical figure.