Cuba
Cuba: political system
Cuba has been a socialist republic since 1959, there is one-party rule of the
Communist Party of Cuba (PCC); the highest state organ is the Council of State
(Consejo de Estado) with 31 members and the Council of Ministers with 39
members. The 609 members of the Asemblea Nacional del Poder Popular People's
Congress are elected every five years. The chairman of the Council of State is
both head of state and chairman of the Council of Ministers. Fidel Castro Ruz
has been Head of State and Government since 1959. But as a result of his serious
illness, he handed over the business of state to his brother Raúl Castro Ruz in
July 2006.

And since April 19, 2018, Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel Bermúdez has been President
of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba, making him head of state and government in one person.
According to Digopaul.com,
the official name of the country is:
Republic of Cuba - República de Cuba |
National anthem
Based on flag descriptions by
Countryaah.com, the national anthem of Cuba "La Bayamese" was composed in
1867 by Pedro Figueredo and in 1868 he wrote the lyrics. It
became the country's official anthem in 1902.

In spanish language
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! |
And in the English translation
Off to battle, Bayamese,
for the fatherland regards you with pride,
do not be afraid of a glorious death,
because to die for the fatherland is to live.To live in chains means to
live
immersed in abuse and disgrace.
From the trumpet hears the lute
runs to the arms, brave people |
Cuba: Well-known people
Freedom fighters and revolutionaries
Máximo Gómez Báez
b. November 18, 1836 in Baní, died June 17, 1905 in Havana
General of the War of Independence from 1868 - 1898
Máximo Gómez was one of the most important military leaders of the Cuban
independence movement from 1868 to 1898 against the Spanish colonial power. At
the initiative of the Cuban revolutionary and poet José Martí, the third phase
of the war of independence was initiated. Goméz was the supreme commander and he
managed to put the Spanish troops on the defensive. After the victory of the
Cuban and American troops, he refused to hold political office in the
US-dominated Cuban republic, despite his high reputation. Unlike other leaders
of the independence movement, he never capitalized on his influence and died a
poor man.
Carlos Manuel de Céspedes
b. April 18, 1819 in Bayamo, died February 27, 1874 in San Lorenzo/Cuba
Freedom fighter and founder of the Cuban nation
Céspedes was a large landowner, but in 1886 he released the slaves of his
possessions and called on all Cubans to fight against Spanish colonial rule. On
October 10, 1887, he was elected the first president of the Cuban Republic
founded underground. In the fight his son was captured and he was given the
ultimatum to sacrifice his son or his fight. He made his decision with the
words: "All Cubans are my sons". For this he got the name "Father of the
Fatherland". After his hiding place was betrayed, he was killed in action
against the Spanish colonial troops in 1874. Today he is very honored in Cuba
and numerous streets and squares have received his name.
Antonio Maceo Grajales
b. June 14, 1845 in Santiago de Cuba, died December 7, 1896 in San Pedro
General of the War of Independence 1868-1898
Antonio Maceo, along with Máximo Gómez, is considered the most important general
of the War of Independence. After an unsuccessful attempt, the first part of the
war failed and due to the peace treaty Gómez had to retreat into exile in
Mexico. The Cuban poet and revolutionary José Martí finally managed to get both
generals to resume the fighting. His great military success was based in
particular on the fact that he succeeded in extending the guerrilla war to
western Cuba, where the most important economic resource of the Spanish colonial
power, sugar production, was located. Maceo succeeded in giving the
revolutionary war a component of the struggle for social justice. Maceo was the
first black man in Cuban history to fight for the rank of general.
Ernesto Rafael Guevara de la Serna/"Che" Guevara
born 14. May 1928 in Rosario/Argentina; died October 9th, 1967 in La Higuera/
Bolivia
Argentine doctor, Cuban revolutionary, guerrilla leader and politician
Ernesto Che Guevara comes from an upper-class family who, despite their good
social position, took a liberal and tolerant social-liberal position. From the
age of two he suffered from asthma attacks, which later prompted him to study
medicine at the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. During his studies, Ernesto
made many trips through South and Central America, where he gained an insight
into the social circumstances prevailing at the time. During this time he
developed a political awareness and shaped his Marxist worldview. In 1955 he met
Fidel Castro in Mexico City and joined his rebel troop. In November they left
for Cuba with the yacht Granma, where they arrived after just under nine days.
In the beginning he mainly worked as a doctor in the guerrilla, but gradually
his use in armed actions grew. He was the first guerrillero to be raised to the
rank of comandante after Castro and entrusted with the leadership of the second
column. His greatest military achievement was the capture of Santa Clara on
December 29, 1958, when his unit ambushed and captured an armored train that was
supposed to deliver weapons supplies to the Batista troops.
After the triumph of the revolution, Che Guevara participated in the Cuban
government, in which he represented a communist position. Among other things, he
was responsible for the persecution of Batista supporters and political
opponents, later head of the National Bank and shortly afterwards Minister of
Industry and developed an economic policy concept of the planned
economy. Guevara demanded self-sacrifice and the will to drive the revolution
forward from others. He himself took part in voluntary work and refused any
perks. A popular saying in Cuba at the time was: "Seamos como Che" (Let's be
like Che). There were differences between Guevara and Castro at the end and he
traveled to the Congo in 1965 in the disguise of a businessman. In the Congo he
tried in vain to bring the revolution to Africa. During a visit to what was then
the GDR, he met Tamara Bunke, his interpreter. Guevara went to Bolivia with her
and some companions to set up a guerrilla with the Bolivian National Liberation
Army. Unlike in Cuba, they do not succeed in winning the impoverished farmers
over to their cause. Although the rural population supported the rebels, they
never took an active part in the armed struggle. The attempt at revolution also
failed because of the lack of support for the Communist Party of Bolivia. The
guerrilla retreat became increasingly narrow in the middle of 1967. At the end
of August, the boss of the second group, Juan Vialio Acuña Núñez and Tamara
Bunke, died, among others. In the end, Che's group consisted of only 14 men. In
October 1967 he was injured and taken prisoner himself after a battle with the
government groups near La Higuera. The Bolivian military was supported by the
American CIA in the hunt for Che Guevara. After his arrest, he was initially
detained and interrogated by CIA agent and Cuban exile Felix Rodríguez. Ernesto
Che Guevara was executed without trial on October 9, 1967. His body is secretly
buried. It was only in 1997 that
his previously lost bones were discovered and transferred to Cuba. He was buried
in a state funeral in a mausoleum built especially for him in Santa Clara.
Celia Sánchez Manduley (alias Norma)
b. May 9, 1920 in Media Luna; died January 11, 1980 in Havana,
revolutionary and companion in combat and life of Fidel Castro
Celia Sánchez was born into an anti-imperialist family. Like Fidel Castro, her
father was a member of the Orthodox Party. When the first (unsuccessful) attack
took place in July 1953 under the leadership of Fidel Castro, she was already
agitating against the authoritarian Batista regime and for social justice. Later
she prepared for the arrival of Fidel and Raúl Castro, Che Guevara, with their
comrades from exile in Mexico. After the successful landing of the Granma, the
boat of the revolutionaries, she organized weapons, food and medicine for the
liberation army entrenched in the mountains of the Sierra Maestra. In February
1957 she met Fidel Castro for the first time. In the following time she acted as
a contact person between the rebels in the mountains and the comrades agitating
underground. She became the first woman to become a member of the General
Command in October 1958. She initiated an all-women fighting group under the
name "Marina Grajales". She moved into Santiago de Cuba on January 1, 1959,
alongside Fidel Castro. During her time as a guerrilla, she wrote detailed
reports, which she completed in May 1964 as the founder of the history
bureau. After the triumph of the revolution, she held various political
offices. She was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, a
deputy to the National Assembly and secretary to the State Council. She died on
January 11th. 1980 in Havana from cancer. January 1959 in Santiago de
Cuba. During her time as a guerrilla, she wrote detailed reports, which she
completed in May 1964 as the founder of the history bureau. After the triumph of
the revolution, she held various political offices. She was a member of the
Central Committee of the Communist Party, a deputy to the National Assembly and
secretary to the State Council. She died on January 11th. 1980 in Havana from
cancer. January 1959 in Santiago de Cuba. During her time as a guerrilla, she
wrote detailed reports, which she completed in May 1964 as the founder of the
history bureau. After the triumph of the revolution, she held various political
offices. She was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, a
deputy to the National Assembly and secretary to the State Council. She died on
January 11th. 1980 in Havana from cancer.
Camilo Cienfuegos Gorriarán
b. February 6, 1932 in Havana, died October 28, 1959
revolutionary
Along with Che Guevara, Fidel Castro and Raúl Castro, Cienfuegos was one of the
leading revolutionaries and guerrilla leaders of the July 26th Movement, also
known as the rebel army against the Batista regime. After two years of guerrilla
fighting in the Sierra Maestra, Cienfuegos was the first to introduce the first
columns into the capital Havana on January 2, 1959. Camilo Cienfuegos was only
marginally involved in setting up the new system. On October 28, 1959,
Cienfuegos was killed in a mysterious aircraft accident. His plane was never
found despite the rescue measures that had been initiated. There are several
visions of what might have happened that day. There is evidence that on that day
he had the order to arrest Hubert Matos, a good friend and also a rebel. Shortly
before that, he is said to have had a conversation with Fidel Castro and to have
accused him of using the revolution to establish a personal dictatorship. The
Cubans in exile in particular like to claim that Cienfuegos should be killed in
the name of Fidel Castro. But this is pure speculation. The anniversary of his
death is still a national holiday, on which the Cuban children throw a flower
into the Caribbean Sea accompanied by the slogan "Una flor para Camilo" (a
flower for Camilo).
Musician
Ernesto Lecuona
b. August 6, 1895 in Guanabacoa, Cuba; died November 29, 1963 in Santa Cruz de
Tenerife/Tenerife, Canary Islands
One of the most important Cuban composers and musicians of the 20th century,
often referred to as the "Cuban Gershwin". As a child prodigy, he started
playing the piano in public at the age of five. Six years later he published his
first composition. In Havana he studied piano, instrumentation and orchestral
conducting. Lecuona founded the Palau Brothers Cuban Orchestra, which was later
renamed the Lecuona Cuban Boys. The group had great success in the US and Europe
in the 1930s and 1940s. He wrote many styles from cantatas to piano pieces. But
his most famous pieces are his songs. He composed more than 400 melodies. His
most famous piece is La Malagueña, one of the most famous songs in Latin
America.
Ignácio de Loyola "Arsenio" Rodríguez
born August 30, 1911; died December 30, 1972
Composer
Rodríguez went blind at the age of six as a result of a mule kick. When he was
15 years old, he met the carpenter Victor Feliciano, who gave him a basic
musical education. He teaches Rodríguez the basics of Cuban music and also the
playing technique of the most important instruments. Arsenio soon showed a
talent for the "tres" (a Cuban type of guitar). Soon he received his first
engagements as a singer and "Tresero" in his home province of Matanzas. Around
1930 he moved to Havana and quickly found a connection to the local music scene,
so that after a short time he was able to found his own band, the "Sexteto
Boston". His group existed from 1928 to 1937, then he joined the "Septeto
Bellamar". Three years later he went into business again and made gripping
compositions that revealed a strong influence of the newly emerging modern
jazz. The band became a great success and in the following years performed every
Sunday in the famous "Club La Tropical" in Havana. In 1947, Rodríguez traveled
to New York to be examined by an ophthalmologist in hopes of being cured of his
blindness. Unfortunately this was not the case and one of his most famous
compositions, the bolero "La vida es un sueño" (Life is a dream), was created. A
few years later he moved entirely to the United States. After the victory of the
revolution in Cuba in 1959, he refrained from returning to his homeland.
In Los Angeles he tried a new start in his career, but it failed. He died,
forgotten and completely impoverished, on December 30, 1972 in the southern
California metropolis. Arsenio is one of the most important composers of popular
Cuban music, he wrote over 200 pieces.
Dámaso Pérez Prado
b. December 11, 1916 in Matanzas, Cuba; died September 14, 1989 Mexico City
musician and composer.
He learned classical music on the piano in early childhood. In the 1940s he
worked mainly in Havana. He spent most of his career in Mexico, where he moved
in 1948. He specialized in Mambo, and with his characteristic fiery brass riffs
and strong counterpoints through the saxophone, he played a major role in
popularizing the Mambo. Dámaso Prado specialized in the mambo and composed such
famous pieces as "Mambo 5" and "Mambo 8", which made him known as the king of
the mambo. His works include "Cherry Pink" for the film "Underwater" and
"Patricia" for the Fellini film "La Dolce Vita". In addition, Prado also
appeared in films in Mexico, the USA and Europe. He died in Mexico City at the
age of 72.
Edgardo Martín
Born 1915 in Cienfuegos, died May 17, 2004 in Havana
Composer
Martín studied piano with Jascha Fishermann and composition with José
Ardévol. Later he taught music history at the "Conservatorio Municipal de La
Habana" and at the "Escuela Superior de Arte de Cubanacán". From 1977 he was a
member of the Comisión Nacional de Música of the Cuban Ministry of Culture.
Gaspar Agüero y Barreras
b. February 15, 1873 in Camagüey, died May 18, 1951
Composer and pianist
Agüero studied music in Havana and later taught at the city's conservatory. He
also directed the Orfeón Catalán and performed as a concert pianist. He copied
ten zarzuelas, two masses, a symphonic sketch, a symphonic ballad and various
piano pieces.
Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso/Celia Cruz
b. October 21, 1925 in Havana; died July 10th 2003 in New Jersey/USA
Singer
Celia Cruz is known as the "La reina de la salsa" (Queen of Salsa). With her
shrill wigs, garish outfits and extravagant appearances, she was famous until
her death. The subject of her songs was her Cuban homeland, which she left in
1959 after the Cuban Revolution. One of her last solo albums from 2000 was
"Siempre Viveré" "(I will always live), with the song" Por si acaso no regreso
"(Maybe I'll never return) she finally said goodbye to her Cuban homeland died
in Fort Lee in July 2003, tens of thousands of fans lined up their last walk at
the funeral.
born May 26, 1919 in Santa Clara; died December 8th, 2003 in Havana
Pianist
He was trained at the Conservatory in Cienfuegos and later began to study
medicine of traditional Cuban music. He made his first record in 1943 and soon
became known beyond the borders of Cuba in Latin America. With the film by Wim
Wenders "Buenas vistas social club" he celebrated an unexpected
comeback. Together with his group he performed several times around the world
before he gave his last concerts in Mexico and Cuba in 2000. After being
bedridden for a long time, González died on December 8, 2003 in Havana.
Ibrahim Ferrer
b. February 20, 1927 in San Luís near Santiago de Cuba; died August 6, 2005 in
Havana
Singer
Ferrer was an orphan at the age of 12 and had to earn his living as a shoe
cleaner and newspaper seller. In addition to this livelihood, he also works as a
street musician. A year later he founded his first band "Jovenes del Son" with
his cousin. In the years to come he played in many groups and became known
nationally. From 1953 he played in "Panchos Alonson's Orchestra" and then moved
with them to Havana. He ended his career in 1991. Ry Cooder and other Cuban
musicians such as Compay Segundo and Rubén González offered him to record a
record in 1996. The album, produced by Cooder in connection with Wim Wenders
film "Buena vista social club", became world-famous and won a Grammy in 1997,
his solo album "A toda Cuba le gusta" received a Grammy nomination and in 2004
his album "Buenos Hermanos" received a Grammy in the category "Best Traditional
Tropical Latin Album". In 2000 he received the Latino Grammy in the category
"Best Young Artist". Ferrer died shortly after returning from a European tour on
August 6, 2005 in Havana.
Natural scientist
Felipe Poey Aloy
b. May 25, 1799 in Havana; died January 28, 1891
natural scientist and writer there
Felipe Poey was born in Cuba to a French family. He spent part of his childhood
in France and later returned to Havana. After studying law, he went to Spain in
1820 and became a lawyer. Due to his liberal views he had to leave Spain in 1823
and return to Cuba. In 1825 he traveled back to Paris, where he became a
co-founder of the French Society for entomology. He started working in Cuvier's
laboratory and began writing about butterflies. Poey worked on numerous national
and international scientific publications and wrote the "Compendium for Cuban
Geography" (Compendio de geografía de la Isla de Cuba), which became the basic
work and was published in numerous editions. He was a member of the Zoological
Society of London, the Society of Friends of Natural History in Berlin, honorary
member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, the Museum and the Society for Natural
History of Madrid. In 1893 he founded the Museum of Natural History in
Havana. In 1842 he became professor of zoology and comparative anatomy at the
University of Havana, later dean of the natural science faculty and vice-rector
of the university. He founded the Ichthyology and Science Library and was a
co-founder of the Academy of Medicine, Physics, and Science and President of the
Havana Anthropological Society. of the Museum and Society of Natural History of
Madrid. In 1893 he founded the Museum of Natural History in Havana. In 1842 he
became professor of zoology and comparative anatomy at the University of Havana,
later dean of the natural science faculty and vice-rector of the university. He
founded the Ichthyology and Science Library and was a co-founder of the Academy
of Medicine, Physics, and Science and President of the Havana Anthropological
Society. of the Museum and Society of Natural History of Madrid. In 1893 he
founded the Museum of Natural History in Havana. In 1842 he became professor of
zoology and comparative anatomy at the University of Havana, later dean of the
natural science faculty and vice-rector of the university. He founded the
Ichthyology and Science Library and was a co-founder of the Academy of Medicine,
Physics, and Science and President of the Havana Anthropological Society.
Fernando Ortíz Fernández
b. July 16, 1881 in Havana; died April 10, 1969 in Havana
scientist, politician and lawyer
Fernando Ortíz, also known as Don Fernando, spent his childhood in Spain, in
1895 he returned to Cuba, where he began to study law that he finished in
Spain. He obtained his doctorate in Madrid and entered the diplomatic
service. In 1906 he became a lawyer at the Cuban Court of Auditors. Two years
later he taught public law, political economy and constitutional law at the
University of Havana. Due to his manifesto against the Cuban dictator Gerardo
Machado, he had to go into exile in the USA in 1931. He returned in 1935 and was
founding president of the Cuban peace movement in 1945. At the same time, he
immersed himself in anthropological studies and is also known as the "Third
Explorer of America" (after the Indians and Columbus) due to his
groundbreaking research. Today he is considered the founder of Cuban
anthropology and music ethnology. In this capacity, Ortíz taught a whole
generation of modern Cuban anthropologists. He also wrote well-known
criminological and historiographical writings.
Politician
Dr. Fidel Castro Ruz
b. August 13, 1926 in Birán
Fidel Castro was born the illegitimate son of a large landowner. Despite his
rich origins, he came into contact with the poor rural population a lot. He
studied with his brother Raúl Castro at the Jesuit college in Santiago de
Cuba. From a young age he often clashed with authorities. In 1942 he switched to
the Jesuit college in Havana and began studying law at the university
there. Here he was already noticed by his political commitment. Among other
things, he founded the student committee and joined the Orthodox party. His
first militant action was his involvement in overthrowing the dictator of the
Dominican Republic, Trujillo. However, this project failed. At the end of the
1940s it became known for an anti-imperialist attitude and its rejection of US
influence in Cuba.
Since it was founded in 1947, Castro was a member of the Revolutionary Youth of
the Cuban People's Party, for which he wanted to run for the planned
parliamentary elections in 1952. After the then dictator Batista had previously
staged a coup to forestall the likely victory of the Orthodox, the elections
never took place. Fidel therefore sued Batista for violating the
constitution. After his lawsuit was dismissed, he called for the right of
resistance and began preparations for an attack on the Moncada barracks in
Santiago de Cuba. The attack took place on July 26, 1953 and failed. Despite
Batista's execution order, Castro was brought to justice, he defended himself at
the trial and uttered his famous sentence: "History will acquit me!" ("La
historia me absolverá!"). Fidel was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but was
released after two years due to a general amnesty. In June 1955 he founded the
"Movement of July 26th" based on the attack on the Moncada barracks. Since
military training was not possible in Cuba, a group of fighters went into exile
in July 1955. The guerrillas began their military training in Mexico, and it was
there that he met Ernesto Che Guevara. In November 1956, Fidel set out for Cuba
with Che Guevara and his fellow soldiers on the decrepit yacht "Granma", where
they arrived on December 2, 1956. As Commanding Commandant (Comandante en Jefe),
Castro led the revolutionaries to victory over the Batista regime after more
than two years of struggle. but was released after two years due to a general
amnesty. In June 1955 he founded the "Movement of July 26th" based on the attack
on the Moncada barracks. Since military training was not possible in Cuba, a
group of fighters went into exile in July 1955. The guerrillas began their
military training in Mexico, and there he met Ernesto Che Guevara. In November
1956, Fidel set out for Cuba with Che Guevara and his fellow soldiers on the
decrepit yacht "Granma", where they arrived on December 2, 1956. As Commanding
Commander (Comandante en Jefe), Castro led the revolutionaries to victory over
the Batista regime after more than two years of struggle. but was released after
two years due to a general amnesty. In June 1955 he founded the "Movement of
July 26th" based on the attack on the Moncada barracks. Since military training
was not possible in Cuba, a group of fighters went into exile in July 1955. The
guerrillas began their military training in Mexico, and there he met Ernesto Che
Guevara. In November 1956, Fidel set out for Cuba with Che Guevara and his
fellow soldiers on the decrepit yacht "Granma", where they arrived on December
2, 1956. As Commanding Commander (Comandante en Jefe), Castro led the
revolutionaries to victory over the Batista regime after more than two years of
struggle. Since military training was not possible in Cuba, a group of fighters
went into exile in July 1955. The guerrillas began their military training in
Mexico, and it was there that he met Ernesto Che Guevara. In November 1956,
Fidel set out for Cuba with Che Guevara and his fellow soldiers on the decrepit
yacht "Granma", where they arrived on December 2, 1956. As Commanding Commander
(Comandante en Jefe), Castro led the revolutionaries to victory over the Batista
regime after more than two years of struggle. Since military training was not
possible in Cuba, a group of fighters went into exile in July 1955. The
guerrillas began their military training in Mexico, and there he met Ernesto Che
Guevara. In November 1956, Fidel set out for Cuba with Che Guevara and his
fellow soldiers on the decrepit yacht "Granma", where they arrived on December
2, 1956. As Commanding Commander (Comandante en Jefe), Castro led the
revolutionaries to victory over the Batista regime after more than two years of
struggle. to Cuba, where they arrived on December 2, 1956. As Commanding
Commander (Comandante en Jefe), Castro led the revolutionaries to victory over
the Batista regime after more than two years of struggle. to Cuba, where they
arrived on December 2, 1956. As Commanding Commander (Comandante en Jefe),
Castro led the revolutionaries to victory over the Batista regime after more
than two years of struggle.
At first Castro was the link between the revolution and the bourgeois-liberal
movement for some time. His brother Raúl, however, launched relations with the
socialist countries. As a result of the intervention of the Cubans in exile, who
fled to the USA after the revolution, Cuba lost above all an important trading
partner in the USA. This meant that Castro was forced to open up to the
socialist countries.
Castro was considered a brilliant politician and charismatic figure. His
speeches, which could last up to 12 hours, are famous. For the socially just
redistribution of social wealth, Fidel is still regarded by many as a hero.
His opponents accuse him of violating human rights and of a dictatorial
regime. On 2007 he handed over his offices to his brother.
Castro died on November 25, 2016 in Havana.
Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz (born 1931)
brother of Fidel Castro and since 2008 President of the Council of State and
President of the Council of Ministers. He is head of state and government in one
person.
actor
Juan Carlos Tabío
b. 1943 in Habana
Filmmaker
Cuba's famous director began his career as an assistant at the ICAIC and
produced documentary films between 1963 and 1980. From 1981 he began to write
screenplays and made the films "Se permuta" (1983), "Plaff," (1987), "Strawberry
and Chocolate" (1993), "Guantanamera" (1995) and " Lista de Espera "(2000).
Writer, poet
José Julián Martí y Pérez
b. February 28, 1835 in Havana; died May 19, 1895 in Dos Ríos
Cuban national poet
Martí began to write poetry as a teenager and to sympathize with the resistance
against the Spanish colonial power. He was then sentenced to forced labor and
deported to Spain, where he was still able to study law. For several years in
exile in the USA and Mexico, he wrote several writings, including the volume of
poems "versos sencillos" (simple verses), from which the text of the famous song
Guantanamera comes. In addition, he organized the fight against the Spanish
crown. He founded the Cuban Revolutionary Party with other Cubans and brought
the leaders Máximo Gómez and Antonio Maceo to resume the struggle for
independence. Martí returned to Cuba in 1895 to take part in the fight against
Spain. In the first few days he fell in what was then the province of
Oriente. Today José Martí is very revered in Cuba, his struggle was dedicated to
social justice and Cuba's independence. Many streets and squares bear his name,
and especially in front of schools you can see monuments in his honor.
Works:
Gonzalo de Questa y Miranda (ed.): Obras Completas La Habana, Editorial Trópico,
1936 - 1949, 70 volumes
Dulce María Loynaz
geb. December 10, 1903 in Havana; died April 27, 1997 in Havana
poet
Before entering the University of Havana, Dulce Loyanaz had never attended
school. Her first poems were published in 1920 in the magazine "La Nación". In
the 1950s she published weekly chronicles in "El País", among others, and worked
in various magazines such as "Social", "Díario de la Marina", "Revista Cuba" and
"Orígenes". In 1959 she was elected to the Real Academia Española and was its
chairman for her country. She received many awards for her work and in 1992 the
Premio Cervantes. She died in her Havana home at the age of 93.
Sportsman, chess player
Alberto Juantorena
b. December 21, 1950
Former athlete and Olympic champion
He began his sports career as a basketball player and later switched to
running. After a year of training, he already took part in the 1972 Olympic
Games in Munich, but dropped out after the semi-finals. He celebrated his first
victories at the World Student Games in 1973 and the Pan-American Games in 1975
over 400m.
At the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, he won gold in the 400m and 800m. Juantorena
is one of the exceptional runners to compete on both routes. After the World
Championships in Athletics in Helsinki in 1983, where he had to be eliminated in
the semifinals, he ended his sports career. In his homeland he was nicknamed "El
caballo", the horse.
Silvia Chibás
born 10. September 1954
athlete and Olympic champion
at the XX. At the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich she won the bronze medal in the
100-meter run, as well as the bronze medal in the team in the 4x 100 relay.
Anier Garcia
b. March 9, 1976 in Santiago de Cuba
athlete and Olympic champion
Garcia started at the Olympic Games 2000 in Sydney over 110 meter hurdles and
won gold. This made him the second Olympic champion after Alberto Juantorena in
1976 to celebrate a victory over this route. 1999 in Seville and 2001 in
Edmonton he was runner-up world champion. He was one of the hopes for a medal at
the 2004 Athens Olympics and won the bronze medal.
Yumileida Cumba
born February 11, 1975
Shot Put and Olympic Champion
Her first Olympics was in Syndey in 2000, where she finished sixth. At the
Olympic Games in Athens she was first second, but when the Russian first-placed
Korschanenko tested positive for doping and was disqualified, she received the
gold medal.
Iván Lázaro Pedroso Soler
b. 17 December 1972 in Havana
athlete, Olympic champion and world champion
Already at the age of 17 he jumped the 8-meter mark.
In the 1990s, he was the dominant long jump athlete. Between 1993 and 2001 he
was nine-time world champion. At the Olympic Games in Sydney he won gold with a
width of 8.55 m. His last major success was the 2001 world championship title at
the World Athletics Championships.
Javier Sotomayor
b. October 13, 1967
High jumper and world champion
Sotomayor became world champion in high jump in 1997. His personal best was 2.45
m in 1993 (world record) and 2.43 m in the hall, also a world record.
Teófilo Stevenson Lawrence also Teófilo Stevenson
b. March 29, 1952
Former boxer, Olympic and world champion
Stevenson won an Olympic gold medal in boxing three times in a row. He reached
the super heavyweight title in 1974, 1978 and 1986.
Félix Savón
b. September 22, 1967 in San Vicente
Boxer and Olympic champion
Félix Savón began boxing at the age of 13 and won his first important title in
1985, the Cuban national heavyweight championship, which he won every year until
the end of his career. At the Olympic Games in 1992, 1996 and 2000 he won the
gold medal. At the 1999 World Cup, he lost his only fight at a World Cup, but
still got his title because his opponent Ruslan Chagayey had already signed a
professional contract before the championship and was therefore subsequently
disqualified.
After the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000, he announced his resignation. Savón
always refused to box as a professional and is therefore considered to be Cuba's
figurehead.
José Raúl Capablanca y Graupera
b. November 19, 1888 in Havana; died March 8, 1942 in New York City
chess player and 3rd world chess champion
Already at the age of 12 the child prodigy Capablanca won a competition against
the Cuban national champion Juan Corzo 4: 3 in 6 draws.
He studied chemistry and sports in New York and won a competition there in 1909
against the American champion Frank Marshall 8-1 in 14 draws.
At the tournaments in San Sebastian in 1911 he achieved his international
breakthrough when he won against well-known champions such as Akiba Rubenstein,
Milan Vidamr and Carl Schlechter. From 1913 he served in the Cuban diplomatic
service, but was still able to devote himself to his chess game. From 1914 to
1927 he lost only five tournament games of his almost 600 games in total, only
36. Capablanca's highest rating was 2,877.
Others
Jorge Más Canosa
b. September 21, 1939 in Santiago de Cuba; died November 23, 1997 in Miami/USA
The large American entrepreneur from Cuba (division: telecommunications, sales
approx. US $ 1 billion) was the founder and until his death chairman of the
Cuban-American National Foundation. This society is the most influential
organization of the Cuban exile in Miami. He was considered one of the leading
figures among the Cubans in exile in the United States. Jorge Más used the votes
of the Cuban fellow exiles to exert pressure on the various presidents of the
USA to attack the Cuban revolutionary government politically, militarily and
economically.
He took part in the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, and then trained as an officer
in the US Army. Later he was an honorary consul in Tel Aviv, Israel. He
initiated the emergence of two anti-Cuban propaganda channels (TV Martí and
Radio Martí) in the USA.
Father José Olallo Valdes (1820-1889)
Father Valdes was beatified in November 2008 in the presence of Raol Castro. His
beatification took place mainly for his commitment as a member of the order of
nurses in the care of the wounded in the 1st Cuban War of Independence.
Cuba: animals
Mammals
Mammals are relatively rare in Cuba.
There are 32 species in total, the majority of which are bats, most of which
live in caves in the limestone regions.
The second smallest bat species, the butterfly bat, is native to Cuba, as is the
mustache bat, which feeds on the pollen from the royal palm.
One of the smaller mammals, the almiqui (slit weevil) is also at home in
Cuba. This nocturnal rat-like insectivore is a living fossil from the island. It
grows to around 28-32 cm long, weighs up to 1 kg and has a tail that can be up
to 25 cm in length.
The Almiqui has a coarse, black or brown fur and strikingly large claws. You can
find him in the mountains at the southwest and southeast end of Cuba. However,
its future is uncertain as its habitat is increasingly being destroyed by
humans.
The largest native mammals are the jutias (tree rats), but they look more
like a beaver than a rat. These shy herbivores are represented in three species
in Cuba.
Reptiles
The American crocodile, which is only restricted to the Peninsula de Zapata
and the Lanier marshes, is critically endangered. The Cuban ear turtle, which
with a little luck can be spotted in lakes and rivers, has also become rare.
A common species is the correcosta, a long and slender lizard, as well as the
anole family, the most species-rich group of iguanas. They have particularly
intense colors that you can change depending on the situation. Because they are
excellent climbers, they can mainly be seen on trees and bushes.
There are no poisonous snakes in Cuba. But around a dozen non-poisonous species
of snakes are native here. The largest snake is the Cuban slender boa. Also
worth mentioning is the peaceful and very fast racing snake Jubo.
Birds
Of the more than 300 bird species, around 70 are indigenous. In the Cuban
forests you can find the 12 cm tall cartacuba (multicolored todi) with its
bright green back.
The smallest bird in the world, the Zunzuncito (bumblebee hummingbird), is
also native to Cuba. It is only 6.5 cm tall, weighs 2 g and, in addition to the
forest areas such as the Cienaga de Zapata and Sierra del Rosario, also occurs
in the Sierra del Escambray and the Sierra Maestra.
The national bird of Cuba is the tocororo. This one has red, blue and white
feathers, which correspond to the colors of the Cuban flag. He dies in captivity
and has thus become a symbol of the urge for freedom. The Tocororo can be found
in wooded areas, where it feeds on fruits, flowers and insects that it catches
in flight. It has a strikingly shaped tail and a peculiar song that is reflected
in its name.
There is also the silver heron, which lives in a symbiosis with cattle, and
the blue heron, which is protected.
Another species of bird that is becoming increasingly rare is the Cuban
pigeon, which can be recognized by its magnificent plumage. Far more often one
hears and sees the light brown Cuban owl, the Bahama woodpecker with the yellow
headdress and the red breast and the Cuban yellow woodpecker. Other birds in
Cuba are peregrine falcons, blue-winged ducks, gray herons and weeping grapes,
which can be seen in the mountains around Baracoa and the Sierra Maestra. On the
coral islands of the two archipelagos Sabana and Camagüey you can find egrets,
flamingos and buzzards, all of which are threatened species.
It is also worth mentioning the turkey vulture, which is also found
throughout Central and South America and feeds almost exclusively on carrion.
The animals have a size between 63.5 to 76 cm - with a weight of 850 to 2,000 g
and a wingspan of 1.80 to 2 m, their plumage is brown-black and shiny on the
back.
The small head is bare and red with a wrinkled scalp.
Insects, vermin
There is no shortage of insects in Cuba, as well as large spiders and
scorpions, none of which are toxic or are only slightly toxic.
The huge Cuban millipede is impressive, and although it is harmless to humans,
it makes the skin swell uncomfortably on contact. The Cuban harvest ants, which
are characterized by their astonishingly large head, are less common. The
Caribbean cockroach is widespread.
One should protect oneself well against the numerous mosquitoes, especially
against the black and white striped tiger mosquitoes, as these transmit dengue
fever, a viral infection that is common in the tropics. However, this disease
is fatal only in the rarest of cases.
Cuba is famous for its snails, such as the snail (polimeta). This species comes
in all sizes and shades, and the stripes on some specimens shimmer in all the
colors of the rainbow.
Although butterflies are not found all that often in Cuba, the glass winged
species is a native species that is distinguished by its transparent wings.
There are also lice, fleas and bed bugs on the island
Poisonous animals
Most edible fish are not poisonous themselves. However, it can happen that
they eat fish, which in turn feed on poisonous algae. In this case, barracudas
can cause ciguatera (fish poisoning) when consumed.
Scorpions and black widows (a type of spider) can be encountered in the
mountainous regions.
The species of black widow found here injects a nerve poison into the bite
wound, but this is noticeable at the earliest after half an hour. You have to
keep a bitten person under observation for at least six hours. The poison leads
to muscle cramps, cramp-like abdominal pain and rapidly increasing muscle pain
that can last for days if left untreated.
There is swelling and reddening of the bite wound. However, deaths rarely occur
in humans. After treatment with an antiserum, this rate has dropped to almost
zero. However, allergy sufferers are at risk.
Underwater world
In the sea off Cuba the typical residents of the Caribbean can be found,
for example sharks, dolphins or whales.
A habitat for countless snails, sea urchins, starfish and other species is the
seaweed that covers the sea floor in extensive areas.
There you can find the manatee, also known as the sea cow, which grazes the
underwater pastures. It is a slow, dark brown mammal with a characteristic
spatulate caudal fin. The manatees have a small head with a very bulging upper
lip and are short haired. They are diurnal, sociable, and often live in herds.
The common octopus, which feeds on the fencing snail, is common.
Barracudas and porpoises are also not uncommon.
However, the hawksbill sea turtles and loggerhead turtles have almost completely
disappeared.
Although the freshwater fauna is sparse, there are some rarities, such as the
Cuban cave fish, the Cuban garfish and the manjuari. The last two species have
existed since the time of the dinosaurs.
The Manjuaris jaw is endowed with three sets of sharp teeth. His menu includes
frogs, chicks of smaller water birds and even his own offspring. This
reptile-like fish can be found in the shallow waters of the lakes and rivers of
the Peninsula de Zapata.
Cuba: plants
Brief info
In the past, dense forest extended over large parts of the island, today only
about 18% of the island is covered with forest.
Numerous tree species have fallen victim to systematic deforestation to gain
agricultural land. Nevertheless, one can still count over 6,000 different plant
species that are still thriving today.
Trees
Palms
You can admire many different types of palm in Cuba, such as the coconut palm,
a rare and ancient type of prehistoric cork palm and the short-stemmed sabal
palm. Their petioles reach a length of 1-1.5 m and the inflorescences develop
deep purple to black fruits. These are approx. 3 cm tall, egg-shaped and
solitary.
This includes in particular the national tree of Cuba, the royal palm, which is
widespread across the island. It has a silver-colored trunk and can grow up to
30 m high. Wood, bark and palm fronds are used in furniture and roof
construction, as well as in wickerwork. The elongated fruit of the royal palm,
flattened on one side, is used for feeding the animals and for oil production.
Ceiba tree
In the lowlands there is the Ceiba tree, which belongs to the wool tree
family. It is not uncommon for this tree, which is sacred to all Cuban cultures,
to reach a height of 45 m. The most famous Ceiba tree can be found in Havana on
the Plaza de Armas, at the point where the city was founded.
Other trees
There are also about 24 types of precious woods in Cuba, such as the mahogany
tree or the cedar. Mangrove swamps extend in the far west of Cuba, in many
places on the north coast and especially in the area of the Peninsula de
Zapata. This habitat is shaped by the American mangrove.
Flowers, cacti
Many different types of orchids and cacti can also be found in Cuba.
The national flower of Cuba is the Mariposa blanca (butterfly jasmine), which
grows mainly in wetlands such as river and lagoon banks. During the Wars of
Independence, it was used by Cuban women to deliver messages to the
battlefields.
The hibiscus, the oleander, the poinciane, the poinsettia, the allamanda (a
climbing plant) and the coral bush are very often represented.
Crops
Cuba offers the best climatic conditions for the cultivation of tropical
crops. So also for the yuca, tobacco and the tropical fruits pineapple, guayava
and papaya.
Other tropical fruits are the fruit banana, mango, orange, grapefruit, lime,
avocado and guanábana. The last is the fruit of the Graviola tree, the leaves of
which are used in medicinal medicine.
At the top of the crop is sugar cane with an annual production of 7.5 million
tons. Coffee and cocoa are grown in regions with high rainfall, as well as
cotton and sisal agave. This plant native to the Yucatan provides the
hard-wearing leaf fibers known as sisal (sisal hemp).
Medicinal plants
The sabal palm, which is actually native to North Africa, Florida and Texas,
is one of the medicinal plants. An extract is obtained from its deep purple to
black fruits that alleviates prostate problems. In North American folk medicine,
the fruits were also used for violent coughs, bronchitis, gonorrhea, urinary
bladder infections and to stimulate digestion.
The leaves of the graviola tree also have a healing effect. They are used to
combat anxiety, anxiety, nervousness and depression as well as diarrhea, colic,
insomnia, fever and internal ulcers. They are also a powerful remedy for
bacteria and parasites.
More plants
The evergreen and bright red and orange blooming flame tree comes from the
Far East.
The casuarine and the sea almond tree, whose fruits are inedible, come from the
tropical Indo-Pacific. The casuarine is a genus of plants consisting of 20
species, including leafless trees with a horsetail-like habit.
The water hyacinth from Brazil has spread in the estuary and along the lower
reaches of the Rio Cauto.
The common sea grape bushes and sea apples are poisonous, the fruits of which
may look appetizing but are highly toxic.
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