The emotional, well-attended event was led by Cuba’s Ambassador to Russia, Enrique Orta; Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov; and the leader of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, Gennady Zyuganov. Also present were State Duma deputies, senators, members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Moscow, university rectors, and officials from the Russian Society of Friendship with Cuba, among other Russian and Cuban representatives.

  Reflecting on the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Orta noted that “he transformed us into an educated, enlightened people and armed us with the principles of solidarity and cooperation among the world’s nations. He turned us into internationalists so that we could fulfill our own debt to humanity.”

  “Standing before this monument, which depicts him in his combat uniform, we reaffirm that in the face of aggression and threats, our only watchword is ‘Homeland or Death, We Shall Overcome,'” Orta declared.

  For his part, Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov noted that exactly one hundred years ago, a legendary figure was born—Commander Fidel, as he is known today—one of the most outstanding statesmen and politicians of our time, who changed the destiny of his country.

  “His name is inscribed in the annals of world history; he is a titan of global politics, an idol to many generations, and will remain forever one of the most striking symbols of his era—a figure of true global stature,” he remarked.

  His name is inextricably linked to key trends in the world’s political and social development.

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