Initiated by the Communist Party of Argentina (PCA), the artwork was created by popular artist Isaac Benapres, with the assistance of members from the “Movimiento Kultural” (which he leads) and other local organizations; all contributed to the joint effort to complete the mural in record time—working.
The goal was to unveil it precisely on July 26, the day Cuba celebrates the Day of National Rebellion, David Esteban told Prensa Latina—and they succeeded.
“For us, Fidel is the father of Indo-Afro-America; he is the father of all rebellions, the father of all peoples seeking liberation. All the organizations that supported this and are present here are from Florencio Varela, and that is fundamental to us,” Benapres stated upon unveiling the massive painting.
“Fidel’s spirit must reside within each of us. Whenever we think of a better world, whenever we think that the country must move forward and that there must be brotherhood among peoples, we think of Fidel,” emphasized the artist, who also created a huge mural dedicated to the Cuban leader in Quilmes.
Speaking about the artwork, he noted that it is the only one in the world featuring both Fidel and Quetzalcoatl. Prensa Latina asked why he chose to include this symbol and deity—associated primarily with Aztec (or Mexican) culture, though its origins and worship extend to various other peoples across Mesoamerica.
“Well, Quetzalcoatl is the Feathered Serpent—an emblem of the indigenous peoples—symbolizing the struggle for independence; it is linked to sovereignty and the anti-imperialist struggle. We cannot forget that our indigenous nations were the first to suffer under the Spanish Empire 500 years ago,” the painter replied.
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