21 September 2009

Entrenchments of Ideas are Worth more than Entrenchments of Stone

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Trincheras de ideas valen mas que trincheras de piedra.

This famous quote from the national hero, José Martí, serves as the standard of the Frederich Engels Printing Company. Its meaning is somewhat analogous to “the pen is mightier than the sword”. It valorizes Cuban culture and education and political ideology as great weapons in the “Battle of Ideas” with capitalism. Adopting the quote from Martí may intend to draw a historic link between the thoughts of the late 19th century and current Cuban social policy that favors education and cultural programs. That said, the massive role of the Cuban military in the society and the economy may belie the rhetorical discounting of “stone embattlements”.

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