Cuban Painter Cosme Proenza Opens Exhibition in Holguin

Renowned Cuban painter Cosme Proenza opened a mega-exhibition on Wednesday in Holguin, on occasion of his 40 years of continuous work. Under the title Parallels: history and tradition of western art, the exhibition includes more than one hundred pieces that review the various creative periods of the artist. The curator of the exhibition was Angel San Juan.

Parallels: history and tradition of western art is a didactic exhibition that presents the artist’s vision of Western culture throughout five centuries of inherited painting in our continent.

Cosme Proenza was born in the Cuban province of Holguin in 1948. He graduated as Master on Fine Arts at the Fine Arts Institute of Kiev, Ukraine, and has been granted much national and international recognition.

His works are being exhibited in major galleries and private collections in Australia, Italy, Germany, Italy, Costa Rica, Greece, Mexico, Russia, France and Venezuela.

Hotel Ordoño in Gibara Undergoing Restoration

The historical, architectural and natural values of the city of Gibara, 32 km to the north of Holguin, make it an attractive site for Cuban and foreign visitors alike. Therefore, the tourism industry is currently pursuing efforts to expand the city’s accommodation facilities.

Among these efforts are the renovation of the Hotel Ordoño, one of the city’s emblematic buildings and a National Monument since 2004.

The construction project includes 27 rooms on three floors; the second floor is built following the Italian mezzanine system.

The renovation project consists of three stages. The first will include demolition, structural reinforcement and restoration of some damaged columns.

Although the major architectural and heritage values of the building will remain, the project foresees changes and the restoration of some elements such as early twentieth century paintings by León Hernández Cáceres, an artist from the Canary Islands based in Gibara

The Hotel Ordoño belongs to the Cubanacán Hotel Chain. The real estate agency of the Ministry of Tourism in the province of Holguin is in charge of its restoration.

The complete refurbishment of the hotel will be a major step that will help Gibara to offer its tourist products and to reaffirm Holguin as one of Cuba’s main tourist destinations.

Cuban children will receive vaccines against polio

After the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in January 1st, 1959, one of the main achivements of the public health system has been the implementation of vaccination campaigns in the island to prevent contagious diseases among the population.

Starting this Friday, more than half a million Cuban children will receive vaccines for the 50th campaign against polio.

The program will last until April, when children under three years old vaccinated last March will receive another dose (two drops orally), while nine-year-old children will receive a re-activation dose.

Poliomyelitis is a highly contagious viral and infectious disease that affects the central nervous system causing permanent paralysis and even death, mainly in children between five and ten years old.

Before the Triumph of the Revolution, Cuba registered an average rate of 300 cases annually.

The country began massive annual campaigns in 1962, and up to the present day the Cuban doctors have applied more than 79 million doses of this vaccine; therefore, the Cuban population under 62 years old is protected against this disease.

Raul Castro Gives Closing Speech at VI Communist Party Congress

The First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, Raul Castro said the update of the Cuban economic model takes time and responsibility, and noted that the required changes will be implemented according to the objective conditions, without putting at risk the unity of the people and the Revolution.

The party leader, made these statements during the closing session of the 6th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba, which convened from April 16-19 in Havana and was attended by Cuban Revolution Leader, Fidel Castro Ruz.

Raul Castro informed that the Guidelines for the Economic and Social Policy of the Party and the Revolution, enriched by popular opinion and party delegates’ proposals will be submitted for consideration and approval of the National Assembly of People’s Power.

He also called for the renewal of political and administrative positions. In this regard he informed that the newly appointed Central Committee of the PCC was reduced to 115 members, of which 48 are women.

Raul Castro reaffirmed that his main task as First Secretary will be to further develop socialism and not allow the return of the capitalist regime to Cuba anymore.

Referring to Fidel's absence from the active members of the PCC Central Committee, he said the Commander in Chief himself had so requested. But reaffirmed: “Fidel doesn’t need any position to occupy the highest place in the history of Cuba. While he has the strength to do so, he will contribute with the ideological battle of our time.”

Raul Castro finally highlighted the symbolism that involved closing the congress the day that marks the 50 Anniversary of the Victory of Playa Girón (Bay of Pigs), the first major defeat of U.S. imperialism in Latin America.

Furthermore, he sent a fraternal greeting to the Communist Parties all over the world that struggle for a better future and a more just and equal society. He also expressed Cuba's gratitude to all countries and peoples of the Third World, especially in Latin America and the Caribbean, which - he said – “will always have the support and solidarity of the Cuban Revolution.” / RHC

POLITBURO MEMBERS ELECTED (LIST)

1. Raúl Castro Ruz
2. José Ramón Machado
3. Abelardo Colomé
4. Julio Casas
5. Esteban Lazo
6. Ramiro Valdés
7. Miguel Díaz Canel
8. Ricardo Alarcón de Quesada
9. Leopoldo Cintra Frías
10. Ramón Espinosa Martín
11. Alvaro López Miera
12. Salvador Valdés Mesa
13. Mercedes López Acea
14. Marino Murillo Jorge
15. Adel Izquierdo Rodríguez

6th Congress of the Cuban Communist Party Started Saturday in Cuba

Cuban President Raul Castro opened the sixth Congress of the Cuban Communist party this Saturday with the presentation of the Central Report for the meeting.

In the report, Raul Castro stressed the need of having a reserve of well-prepared cadres as replacements to take on major duties.

The Cuban president underlined that this systematic rejuvenation should include all posts from the grassroots level up to the country's top posts, without excluding the PCC first secretary, who will be designated during this congress, and the president of the councils of State and Ministers.

At the same time, he suggested limiting the mandates of public office to a maximum of two consecutive five-year terms, a recommendation he considered possible and necessary under the current circumstances.

He said that conditions today are different from those of the early decades of the Revolution, when the revolutionary process had not yet been solidified and was under constant threat and aggression.

Raul Castro added that the reinforcement of the country's institutions would be a guarantor for a policy of renewal that would never jeopardize the continuation of socialism in Cuba.

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Thousands of Cubans Participate in Military Parade and March

Hundreds of thousands of Havana residents, on behalf of the Cuban people, participated this Saturday morning in a military parade and mass march, passing through the José Martí Revolution Square in Cuba.

The activity marks the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of the socialist character of the Cuban Revolution on April 16th, 1961 by Revolution leader Fidel Castro, at the burial ceremony for the victims of the sabotage bombings against Cuban airfields perpetrated the day before by US Douglas B-26B Invader bombers.

The parade also marks the 50th anniversary of the Cuban people’s victory against the US-led mercenary invasion at Bay of Pigs, regarded as the first defeat of US imperialism in the Americas.

Cuban youths, students, workers, militiamen and people in general marched to reaffirm the determination to continue with the Revolution. The people of the capital says “yes” to Socialism again, on behalf of the entire nation. The prelude of the invasion on the Bay of Pigs confirmed the imperialist intentions, which have not varied since 1961.

Watch video on the grand parade

Chronicles of a Playa Girón Veteran

Once again, the gun pointed right to his head, as if the invisible enemy would not give up the pursuit of killing him. Just like in the Saturday night movie, he awakens sweaty, relieved to escape from the nightmare.

Thomas Vidal works in the National Software Department (DESOFT) in Holguin. Those who look at him behind a desk full of documents, well supplied with the necessary technical work, will never imagine him carrying the FAL rifle on his shoulders, while leaving shreds of clothing and skin in the rugged terrain of Playa Larga, to defend our sovereignty.

After the Bay of Pigs victory against the imperialist mercenaries, the soldier of the Special Column 1 of Combat and Infantry, did not return home as one of those intangible heroes found in books of short stories: but he brought a kiss of relief to Elsa, the girl of his dreams, and endless stories and experiences under his field uniform.

Three years earlier, in the area of ​​La Palma, Tomas became a soldier of the Rebel Army, although his beard did not grow as the older ones, because the island was about to give birth to the Revolution.

Las Villas and Angola were lands of struggle and heroic deeds. In las villas he saw the death of one of his companions, while capturing a counterrevolutionary group. His work on African soil earned him the Diploma of Honour of the Angolan Republic.

Years later, Holguin received him when he decided to settle back into his native land, like a victorious son returning from very difficult battles. The knocker of La Periquera was the recognition and his response:
"If used, it would be to knock on doors of the city, to repeat what I did at that time: to fight for the Cuban revolution."

Author: Liudmila Peña Herrera

Cuba Urges USA to Amend Acquittal of Terrorist Posada Carriles

Cuba on Sunday called upon the U.S. government to amend the acquittal of terrorist Luis Posada Carriles following an immigration trial in El Paso, Texas, labelled as a farce.

The trial of the former CIA agent on immigration charges instead of terrorism is an insult to the Cuban people and the afflicted families of the victims of this confessed terrorist, read an official statement from the Cuban Foreign Ministry.

The communiqué also asks if the U.S. government would be capable of putting Posada on trial again, but this time under terrorism charges, or sending him to Venezuela, a country that has requested his extradition for over five years.

FULL TEXT OF THE STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA:

In the afternoon of April 8, 2011, the farce that had begun thirteen weeks ago in El Paso, Texas, came to an end when terrorist Luis Posada Carriles was acquitted of all the charges pressed against him during a migration trial.

To all those who have been following the sinister history behind this terrorist and his links with the successive US governments, the FBI and the CIA in his dirty war against Cuba, this is an additional proof of the support and protection that the US authorities have traditionally granted to him.

Since the moment of his landing in Florida after traveling from Isla Mujeres in Mexico on board of the “Santrina” boat, as was timely denounced by Commander in Chief Fidel Castro, Posada Carriles has been, as he always was, under the tutelage and protection of the US government.

He was tried for committing perjury during a migration process, not for being a terrorist, and this is an outrage against the people of Cuba and the families that were plunged into morning by the actions committed by Posada.

The shameless verdict at El Paso is in full contradiction with the anti-terrorist policy that the US government is said to profess, which has even led to military interventions against other nations, taking a toll of thousands of human lives.

The US government is absolutely aware of Posada Carriles’ involvement in the blowing-up in mid-air of a Cubana de Aviación airliner off Barbados in 1976, the bombing spree against Cuban tourist facilities in 1997 and his plans to attempt against the life of our Commander in Chief in Panama in 2000, for which he was even convicted in that country.

The US government has all the evidence of the crimes committed by Posada, many of which were presented in court at El Paso.

We are still to see if the US government is capable of either filing a new claim against Posada Carriles on a charge of terrorism or accepting his extradition to Venezuela, as was requested more than five years ago by that country, taking into account its legal obligation derived from the international covenants it is party to and the UN Security Council Resolution 1373 of 2001, which was promoted by the US government itself.

As paradoxical as it may seem, while Posada Carriles is being acquitted, five Cuban anti-terrorists remain unjustly imprisoned in the United States for collecting information about the actions perpetrated by terrorist of Cuban origin who, like Posada Carriles, are walking free and with impunity down the streets of Miami.

Cuba reaffirms that the US government is the chief responsible for this outcome and challenges it to take on its obligations in the struggle against terrorism, without hypocrisy or double standards. / RHC

Earth surface and a space rock: a possible meeting?

Experts and observatories around the world are getting ready for the next meeting of the Earth with a nearby object, a potentially hazardous asteroid that will pass on November 8.

The 400 meters rock, known as 2005 YU55, will come close to 200 000 kilometers of the earth surface, a distance that in astronomical terms is quite close to the planet, but according to experts there is no chance of impact. Astronomers expect to obtain some images when it passes by .
The Project of Near Earth Objects of the NASA, noted that 2005 YU55 will approach from the east Atlantic to western Africa. However, it will be a challenge to follow its way by the speed with which it will travel.

The asteroid was discovered on December 28, 2005.

National and foreign specialists meet in Holguin

The Hotel Club Amigo in Guardalavaca beach, was the headquarters this week for the the Fourth International Congress on Health and Quality of Life with the participation of specialists from 10 nations from the Americas, Europe, and Africa.

As in the previous meetings (2005, 2007 and 2009), participants exchanged experiences on nutrition, addictions, and AIDS, searching for an improvement in the people's quality of life.

The program for the event included several symposiums, lectures, panels and roudtables, among others. Life expectancy and Transmitted Diseases and HIV-AIDS were among the main topics debated here.

Dr. Orlando Landrove, head of the Cuban National Program of Non Communicable Diseases, said that implementation of healthy policies in defense of individuals has allowed that life expectancy at birth in the Caribbean nation remains around 78 years of age. Cuba registers this rate, which is similar to those of developed countries, as a result of an equitable health care system designed to protect people.

The specialist affirmed that in order to increase life expectancy up to 80 years old, it is necessary to reduce the impact of non communicable diseases, and to stop the process of population aging and the negative effects it brings about.

He stated that alcoholism, sedentary life styles, smoking, and obesity are also negative factors that shorten the life of Cubans and cause a large number of deaths.

On the other hand, Rosaida Ochoa, director of the National Center for the Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV-AIDS, affirmed that patients suffering from HIV-AIDS are a top priority for the Cuban health system.

She also said that Cuba has succeeded in improving the quality of life of these patients by keeping them under observation in their own communities, where they receive free of charge health care and explained that carrying out prevention campaigns is one of the most effective steps for controlling this disease, declared pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Cuba is making serious efforts to control the disease, and for this purpose it has established joint strategies among different social sectors like education, culture and the media, in addition to reinforcing the prevention work with groups of people over 25 years old.

The City of the Parks will celebrate its 466 Anniversary of foundation

Holguin will develop, from April 2 to 4, a wide program of activities to celebrate the 466 anniversary of foundation of the Hato of San Isidoro de Holguín.

Painting competitions, handcraft workshops, exhibitions, book sales, popular parties and fairs, among others, are included in the program.

The most relevant moment during the celebrations will be a homage to Juan Arrom Gonzalez, aimed at promoting the Latin American literature and pay tribute to the Holguin intellectual.

The homage includes a wreath-laying ceremony at the birthplace of Arrom in Holguin, followed by the opening of a photo exhibition about the prominent intellectual, in the Iberoamerican Center of this Cuban city.

On August 4, at 4:30 pm in the House of the Lieutenant Governor, members of the wine manufacturing club of Holguin will present the wine 466, as a gift to our city.

The gala for the celebration of the 466 Anniversary of the foundation of the City of the Parks, will take place April 4th in front of the “Origenes” Mural.