WFDY on Fidel: “Death is not real when the work of one’s life has been fulfilled"

World Federation of Democratic Youth statement. English translation edited by Rebel Youth.

The World Federation of Democratic Youth receives with deep pain the news of the physical disappearance of the undefeated Commander of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz.

The youth of our organizations will continue the struggle and act in following the example and the ideas of comrade Fidel for the construction of a world free from of exploitation with equal and full rights for all the people. The legacy he leaves to the history of humanity also includes a legacy for our own Federation, illustrated by Fidel’s role in rescuing of the World Festival of Youth and Students movement in 1997, and also as a model of perseverance and combativeness that must characterize us all when we defend just ideas.

WFDY expresses that especially now, during the preparatory process of the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students, our memories take us back to a difficult period where many forces were expecting the disappearance of the Festival movement, and despite many difficulties, Fidel considered the importance of the international youth movement in welcoming the entire world to Cuba in 1997. Together with the Cuban people, this was one of the main factors responsible for the continuance of the WFYS movement. We call the anti-imperialist and progressive youth of the world to not step back, nor to remain passive; the front line of the struggle is our recognition of Fidel. Lets join our hands and voices until the overthrow of imperialism.

Fidel expressed the following about the youth:

"And what youth do we want? Do we want, perhaps, a youth that simply concentrates on hearing and to repeating? No! We want a youth that thinks. A youth, perhaps, which is revolutionary because of imitating us? No! But a youth that learns for itself in order to be revolutionary, a youth that becomes convinced by itself, a youth that develops fully its thought."

Comrade Fidel, we will continue your legacy in our fight until the final victory and you will continue being a force that keeps us firm in our aim for a better world.

Members of the Union of Young Communists of Cuba (UJC)
celebrate Fidel's 90th birthday last August. The YCL Canada
and the UJC Cuba are member organizations of the WFDY.

Anti-imperialism, the internationalism, solidarity and peace; these basic principles of WFDY, have been enriched and strengthened by Fidel's ideas.

Death is not real when the work of one’s life has been fulfilled.

¡Hasta siempre Fidel!

¡Hasta la victoria siempre!

World Federation of Democratic Youth
Head Quarters of WFDY, Budapest, 26th November, 2016