Cultural Congress in Havana

September 25, 2007

The Cultural Congress held in Havana January -12, 1968, brought together over four hundred "intellectuals" from the industrialized and third world nations to consider their role in the context of the revolutionary struggle in this era. The following are short excerpts from the body of the General Resolution of the Cultural Congress which was approved by the delegates. ( Source Granma January 21, 1968 p.8-9)

An Anti-Imperialist Unity ---- The Congress in saluting this struggle of the U.S. black population against its oppressors, in condemning all forms of racism emphasizes that the elimination of racism is inseparably linked to the disappearance of imperialism, and that, as history demonstrates, only when the economic basis of imperialism disappears -- that is, only in a society without oppressors -- will the complete disappearance of racism be possible.

---- All honest intellectuals of the world should refuse to cooperate with or to accept invitations or financial assistance from the Government of the United States of America and its official agencies, or from any organization or foundation whose activities lead one to believe that intellectuals who participate in them serve the imperialist policy of the United States. (Similarly, they should support U.S. intellectuals who take a stand against imperialism who support the struggles of the Third World -- in particular, that of the Vietnamese people -- and of the black population of the United States and who encourage U.S. youth not to go into military service to fight in Vietnam.

Of a Revolution in Power ---- Mass media must inform, educate, guide and unify the entire people. They must help the great masses to understand the world that surrounds them and to create a revolutionary culture. ---- This urgent need for transformation in the post-liberation period demands the immediate carrying out of the scientific-technical revolution. The international advances of science and technology make accelerated development possible. Therefore the formation of cadres ranging from medium level technicians to high level scientists is necessary. Mass education will be its productive source.

The Image of the New Man ---- In the not-too-distant future there will prevail a man who no longer needs to sell his labor power as a commodity, who will produce for society with a high consciousness, who will consider work a calling. Linked to the cultural, patriotic, and revolutionary traditions of his country and of humanity, the new man will look back on that past with a critical spirit. He will boldly move forward to achieve his vital objectives. The essential condition for the new man's appearance is the anti-imperialist revolutionary change which established national independence and moves along paths determined by the characteristics of each country, destroying the economic and social structures through which man is enslaved by man.

Tags: Cultural congress, third world solidarity


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