Times to dream and to fulfill

By: Pedro Corzo - 09/06/2026

Guest columnist.
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The Cuban apostle José Martí wrote one of the most representative books of his greatness, "La Edad de Oro" (The Golden Age), in 1889, a publication he initially conceived as a cultural magazine dedicated to the children of America. It only ran for four issues, but despite its brevity, it has left a profound mark on those who read it.

Childhood is the time for dreaming and playing, youth is the time to begin fulfilling the work of life, a path that can be very complicated and even traumatic, however, we must all undertake it, because only in this way, “death is not real”.

Youth anywhere in the world, particularly where civil rights are at risk, are the first to embrace pipe dreams without regard for the consequences. However, in democracies, when the enjoyment of freedoms is not threatened, most young people tend to live in a relaxed state that leads them to postpone fulfilling their civic duties. Nevertheless, there are notable exceptions, as we were able to appreciate at the First International Meeting of Young People with Cuban Historical Memory, which was recently held at Florida International University.

That first meeting, convened by several Cuban exile institutions, was presided over and organized by Dr. Daniel Pedreira, a young man with a strong sense of duty. Pedreira brought together, both virtually and in person, a remarkable group of young people living in different countries, united by the common goal of rebuilding the republic we lost.

The event took place throughout the day and was organized into five working groups that addressed different topics: Historical memory on social media; Historical research in post-totalitarianism; Exile as a reservoir, source of traditions and struggle for the values ​​of the Cuban nation; The recovery and restoration of the history of Cuba; Resistance and struggle for democracy: perspectives of the new generations on the totalitarian legacy.

It was impressive to see so many young people discussing the future of Cuba; many of them, like Pedreira himself, were born far from the island and yet knew the history and spoke fluently in the language of their grandparents and parents about the past and future of their shared homeland.

It was very gratifying to hear them speak. The effort their elders made to ensure they didn't lose their roots has been fruitful, and it is hoped that they will contribute, as many expressed, to building a better country while continuing to contribute to the progress of the nation in which they reside.

Representatives of other generations were present, although with a very tangential participation, among others, Ramiro and Carmen Gómez, the brothers Ángel and Armando de Fana, Saturnino Polon, Sebastián Arcos Cazabon, director of the Institute of Cuban Studies of the FIU, one of the sponsoring institutions of the meeting, Luz Martínez and Enrique Ruano.

The experience was very meaningful. Listening to young Pedro Pérez talk about his experiences in Ukraine and the importance of working for Cuba's future, hearing Ms. Yoryana Lima, who left Cuba a few years ago, speak about her hopes for a better future for our country, was moving and uplifting. It was equally moving to see actor Ricardo Becerra, who worked on the film "Plantados," express how he gained a much deeper understanding of the cruelty and injustices of totalitarianism while working on that film, which is why he continues to denounce its abuses. He convinces everyone that the many who have fallen in this struggle for democracy in Cuba, and the imprisonment of so many others, have not been in vain. As activist Kiele Cabrera commented, "We are all united in creating strategies to counter the regime's narratives and prepare for the democratic transition within Cuba."

It's true that youth doesn't return, but what we sow in it can be useful for the future of many, including our own. It would be very beneficial for Cubans to repeat this experience, which was conducted so brilliantly, and for politicians in our hemisphere to grant public spaces to the new generations of their respective countries. Youth is a divine treasure, and what we sow in it lasts forever.

Thanks to Arcos Cazabon, Ángel de Fana and doctors Ramon Barquin and Daniel Pedreira for an effort with such excellent results.

«The opinions published herein are the sole responsibility of its author».