August 13th marked the 83rd birthday of compañero Fidel Castro. The Cuban commander-in-chief has conducted a life-long struggle for a better world, leading the Cuban people through 50 years of the Cuban Revolution. Throughout his life, he has provided a model of the kind of revolutionary leadership that could make it possible for humanity to achieve the highest level of moral integrity. Fidel’s revolutionary legacy is celebrated by millions of people around the world who admire his decisive revolutionary role before, during, and throughout the Cuban revolution up until today. On August 13th, over 30 people joined Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba and millions of people in Cuba in celebrating the 83rd birthday of compañero Fidel. The Vancouver event to celebrate Fidel’s birthday was one of VCSC’s monthly Cuba culture and film nights. The cultural and educational program began with poetry read in honour of Fidel by long-time social justice fighter and poet Luis Velasquez. Event MC Payvand Pejvack then welcomed up Joaquin Ernesto, a long-time supporter of Cuba and radio host on Co-op Radio. Joaquin soon had everyone in the audience singing along to his songs for justice. Next, Wilson Muñoz, a long-time social justice organizer from El Salvador spoke about Fidel’s legacy and impact on revolutionary struggles in Latin America. He was followed by Nita Palmer, an organizer with the Free the Cuban Five Committee-Vancouver who recently returned from a trip with the 20th Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan to Cuba. Nita spoke about Fidel’s legacy in Cuba today. Tamara Hansen, VCSC coordinator and co-chair of the Canadian Network on Cuba joined the event via telephone from Havana, Cuba. Tamara was celebrating Fidel’s birthday in Cuba along with other members the Ernesto Che Guevara volunteer work brigade from Canada (Information:www.canadiannetworkoncuba.ca/brigade). Fernando Duque, head of the Canada Desk of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, also brought greetings to the Vancouver event. Greeting the event via video link from New York City was Reverend Lucius Walker, Executive Director of IFCO/Pastors for Peace. Reverend Walker spoke about the recent Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba, which successfully challenged the US blockade on Cuba for the 20th time. Lucius also spoke about his recent meeting with Fidel while in Cuba. (For information http://www.ifconews.org/) The final part of the night’s program was the film “The Achievement is to be Alive” about Fidel’s legacy in Cuba and the hundreds of unsuccessful attempts by the US government to assassinate Fidel. The evening ended with all the participants in the event blowing out the candles on the cake to celebrate Fidel’s 83rd birthday as they shouted ¡Viva Fidel!	Report Back Life Long Struggle for a Better World Celebrate the 83rd Birthday of Compañero Fidel Castro Click on Photos to Enlarge!