Loyal to Our History--study, work, rifle

Fieles a Nuestra Historia

This is a mural produced by and in honor of the Union of Young Communists. Its traditional logo depicts three fallen male heroes of Cuban history, Julio Mella, Camilo Cienfuegos and Ernesto Guevara. Besides Fidel Castro and Raul Castro and sports stars, one generally must be deceased to have one’s likeness appear on outdoor propaganda. The motto of the Union of Young Communists is “study, work, rifle”--the three main components of young people’s lives--although many young people neither go to school, nor work, nor participate in the mandatory military.

The large phrase “Loyal to Our History” implicitly creates a historic link between the current day and age and the revolutions of 1959, 1933, 1895 and 1868. The use of the word “fiel” is a synonym, and near homonym, of the word “fidel”, which means loyal or faithful. Obviously, the understanding is being loyal to the historic leadership of Fidel Castro. The use of “our” history reveals that people are progressing together through a shared history, and thus a common modern plight.