Noticieros: Programm 1960-61

On June 6, 1960, almost a year after the victory of the revolution, the thirty-year history of the Noticiero ICAIC Latinoamericano begins. Led by Alfredo Guevara, the first two Noticiero years fall under the sign of the Revolution’s inception: huge social, political and societal upheavals are made tangible by the Noticiero’s images and Cuba’s history now appear in a new light. The irrepressible hope and enthusiasm of the people for the revolution can be felt with overwhelming force in the filmed material. Happy crowds move across the whole country for the commemoration of July 26, 1953. Through the agrarian reform, small farmers become land owners. Che Guevara holds a rousing speech at the opening of the first Youth Congress for the liberation of Latin America. We see Fidel Castro during his trip to New York, where he speaks at the United Nations and then dines together with the staff of his hotel. Later, we see him with President Nasser during his official visit to Egypt. We are carried away by the determination of the 106-year-old Maria de la Cruz, who has finally learned to read during the literacy campaign. Finally we see with our own eyes how the Cubans succesfully fought against the Bay of Pigs Invasion, on April 17, 1961.