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Fidel's balcony in Santiago de Cuba

Category: Santiago de Cuba
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Fidel Castro Ruz balcon ayuntamiento santiago de cubaThis will be one of the balconies of the old Town Hall of Santiago de Cuba, where Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz appeared before the people five times to talk about the Revolution.
With a panoramic view of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Park, from there he proclaimed the victory of the Rebel Army over the Batista tyranny, on January 1, 1959, and so he returned on significant dates to remember glorious pages, heroes and martyrs and express Patriotic feelings.
It was not by chance that he chose the eastern city at such a momentous moment and said: "Santiago has been the strongest bulwark of the Revolution."
What vision did Fidel have when he expressed that day: "The Revolution begins now, the Revolution will not be an easy task, the Revolution will be a tough and dangerous company", words with full force when 57 years have passed.
Fidel returned to that balcony on January 1, 1984 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the triumph, a time chosen to deliver to the city the Honorary Title of Hero of the Republic of Cuba and the Order Antonio Maceo.
It did so at about the same time of that memorable day of 1959 and again spoke of the struggles, of the fallen ones for a just cause and of the constant threat of imperialism on the Island.
Referring to the merits of this eastern land, he said: "May your heroism, your patriotism and your revolutionary spirit always be an example of all Cubans! (.) "May we always hope for what we have known here that glorious First of January: victory! Thank you, Santiago!"
For the third time, Fidel returned on January 1, 1989, on the 30th anniversary of the Revolution, and clarified that he was doing this in this city for the desire to share with the people of Santiago that glorious day.
It was in the act for the 35 anniversary of the triumph, in 1994, when Fidel's words were heard again in that place and he made reference to the popular public space that rightly bears the name of the Father of the Fatherland.
The last of Fidel's five appearances on the balcony of the old town hall, now home to the Municipal Assembly of People's Power, took place on January 1, 1999.
So the international scene was not the same, 40 years of aggression had passed and a brutal economic, financial and commercial blockade was trying - and continues to do - to drown the people.
That's why he said: "Today's battle is hard and difficult."
This building, much loved by Santiago and the santiagueros, keeps the memory of his presence, his steady steps to reach the second level and go out on the balcony, as he did the first time in 1959.
In one of the speeches he stated that he had no doubt that on that historic date, over the years, someone would come to talk about the First of January.
And so it was, since in 2014 the General of the Army Raúl Castro Ruz, President of the Councils of State and Ministers, summarized the act for the 55th anniversary, although he did it from the corridor, on the first floor.
Of course, that is Fidel's balcony and it will remain for the story with his physical disappearance, this November 25th.

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