Fourth Anniversary of Death of
Fidel Castro
Vigils and Receptions in Honour of Fidel Held in Canada
November 25, 2020. Vigil outside the Embassy of
Cuba in Canada.
The Embassy of Cuba in Canada, together with
members of Ottawa Cuba Connections and the
Outaouais-Cuba Friendship Association,
commemorated the fourth anniversary of the passing
of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro on
November 25, in Ottawa. Observing pandemic rules,
a vigil was held on the grounds of the Cuban
Embassy. Maricarmen Guevara welcomed everyone on
behalf of Ottawa Cuba Connections and paid tribute
to Fidel's revolutionary spirit and his dedication
to the struggle of peoples throughout the world
for justice, dignity and freedom.
Her Excellency Josefina Vidal, Cuban Ambassador
to Canada, spoke about the legacy of Fidel's
ideas, which are still alive in the hearts and
minds of the Cuban people and the many friends of
Cuba in Canada, whom she thanked for coming to
celebrate his life. "Your presence here is an
expression of the unconditional support and
solidarity that you have always shown for Cuba,"
she said. The Ambassador was warmly applauded and
following her comments, shouts of Viva Fidel!
and Viva Cuba!
rang out to close the ceremony.
 
At the vigil a beautiful basket of flowers was
placed in front of a photo of Fidel to express
love, admiration and respect for the legacy of
Commandante Fidel Castro.
In Montreal, that same day, the Table de
concertation de solidarité Québec-Cuba
(Quebec-Cuba Solidarity Roundtable) held a vigil,
followed by a reception, to commemorate the life
and work of Fidel Castro, the Cuban people's
legendary and beloved leader, on the fourth
anniversary of his death.
November 25, 2020. Vigil outside Cuban Consulate
in Montreal.
During the vigil held in front of the Cuban
Consulate, activists and friends of Cuba shouted Viva
Fidel!, We Are All Fidel! Viva the Cuban
Revolution! Oppose the Criminal U.S. Blockade
Against Cuba! Support the Cuban Medical
Brigades! Cuba si! Bloqueo no! Many
motorists slowed down to honk their horns in
support and solidarity. The outdoor reception was
held in accordance with physical distancing
rules. Several people brought flowers that were
placed in front of a photo of Fidel.
 Mara Bilbao Diaz,
the Consul General of the Republic of Cuba in
Montreal, welcomed everyone. She stressed the
importance of marking this important date for the
Cuban people and the peoples of the world.
"Exactly four years ago on the day of Fidel's
death, I met with almost all of you at the vigil
held at the consulate, and the signing of the book
of condolences. Many of you also attended the
tribute that took place at the Simón Bolívar
Centre in Montreal," she said.
"These were very sad days for the friends of Cuba
and for the vast majority of Cubans both on and
off the island. Four years after his physical
disappearance, his ideas, his precise vision of
imperialism, his clear legacy on internationalism
and the environment, are more relevant than ever.
"I would like to share with you what a good
friend of mine wrote: 'There will be no monuments,
no sculptures, no avenues or squares bearing his
name, however there will be no Cuba without Fidel
and this, we all know. Memorable work, which
continues to elicit admiration and respect, has
demarcated a before and after in the history of
Cuba, Latin America and the universe.'"
She spoke of the fidelity of the Cuban people to
Fidel, who said that as long as Fidel remained at
the helm in Cuba, their interests would be
protected and no one would be left to fend for
themselves. She was applauded as she concluded:
"Thank you for being here today. You confirm for
us once again that Cuba is not alone. Hasta la Victoria
Siempre! Viva Fidel!"
Representatives of the Table de concertation de
solidarité Québec-Cuba and other organizations,
expressed their love for and solidarity with the
Cuban people. They all stressed that Fidel's life
and work live on in the hearts and minds of
millions of Cubans, Quebeckers and others
worldwide who are fighting for justice, dignity
and freedom. They demanded an end to the criminal
U.S. blockade against Cuba, confirmed their
unwavering support for revolutionary Cuba and
saluted the courageous and inspiring work of
Cuba's Henry Reeve Medical Brigade, which
undoubtedly deserves the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize.
Discussion and songs followed the speeches while
refreshments were offered by the Consulate.
  
This article was published in
Volume 50 Number 46 - November 28, 2020
Article Link:
Fourth Anniversary of Death of
Fidel Castro: Vigils and Receptions in Honour of Fidel Held in Canada
Website: www.cpcml.ca
Email: editor@cpcml.ca
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