Every turn of a new year, precisely January 1st, Cuba embarks on self-reflection, celebrating with music, dance, and jubilant cheers what many years ago shaped the trajectory of its fate.
It’s not just a new year’s day for Cubans; it’s that and more.
It is largely the “triumph of the revolution,” a national holiday marking the 1959 victory that toppled Fulgencio Batista, a styled dictator, thereby igniting a socialist revolution.
Therefore, for Cubans, January 1st isn’t just about fireworks and festive feasts.
It’s a day to commemorate the rebels who dared to dream of a more equitable society, the families who sacrificed for freedom, and the unwavering spirit that continues to shape the country.
En vísperas de otro Nuevo Año desafiante, los invito a entrar al 2024 con la pasión y la alegría que necesita y merece la gran tarea de cambiar todo lo que deba ser cambiado. #EstaEsLaRevolución. Somos todos nosotros juntos, venciendo imposibles.
— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) December 31, 2023
¡Y lo haremos! 🇨🇺 pic.twitter.com/Ap2tGLCnkM
The celebrations that follow January 1st are usually grand, spreading deep into the country.
Usually, on this day, Cubans, both old and young, consider the day special in the country’s chequered history.
The day is also marked by military parades through streets in the country’s capital city, Havana, showcasing Cuba’s revolutionary pride and pulse.
Those who parade sing songs of liberation in ecstasy, signaling its significance in the lives of Cubans.
In homes across the country, families gather, sharing stories of perjuangan and feasting on traditional dishes like Roopa Vieja (shredded beef) and Congri (black beans and rice).
But January 1st also carries the weight of reflection. Cubans acknowledge the ongoing challenges their nation faces, the unceasing U.S. embargo, economic hardships, and the quest to balance socialist ideals with a changing world.
¡Felicidades #Cuba 🇨🇺¡ #EstaEsLaRevolución pic.twitter.com/8Bx8wgICVs
— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) December 31, 2023
Yet, amidst these complexities, the spirit of Lucy Victoria (interpreted in English as “struggle and victory”) continues to inspire Cubans to hold together the boundaries of unity and progress.
As Cubans mark this special day in the country’s journey towards self-greatness, many around the world who celebrate its triumph will raise their glass of guayaba mojito in celebration, honor, and prayer.
Amongst Cubans, January 1st is a celebration of audacious dreams, unwavering resilience, and the transformative power of a revolution.
It’s a day to remember that even on a tiny island in the Caribbean, hope for freedom is inevitable.
