January 1, 2001. CNN. Web
posted at: 11:07 AM EST (1607 GMT)
HAVANA, Cuba (AP) -- The communist government toasted the 42nd anniversary
of the Cuban revolution shortly before midnight Sunday, inviting the island's
citizens in a televised message to celebrate the milepost with President Fidel
Castro and his brother Defense Minister Raul Castro.
"These hard and fertile years of combat and victory have formed an
indomitable people," said the official message broadcast on state
television, just minutes before the stroke of midnight. "There is not a
power nor an empire that can conquer an army of cultured people."
The message invited Cubans to toast the revolution, the Castro brothers and "our
brave people - ourselves - because together we will win this colossal battle.
"Long live a free Cuba!" it concluded, echoing the cry of the
battle of independence from Spain a little over a century ago.
There were no official celebrations in Cuba on New Year's Eve, but the
government has announced a series of concerts and other cultural events for
Monday evening and Tuesday to mark the anniversary of the Jan. 1, 1959
revolution that brought Castro to power.
Internationally known musicians such as Compay Segundo, the Los Van Van band
and folk singer Pablo Milanes will perform in different locales around Havana
beginning at 9 p.m. Monday.
No official events by Castro have been announced. | 