The flame that continued to burn in Bayamo

Just imagining the event shudders: a city engulfed in flames; thousands of properties destroyed; a firmament reddened by countless smoky embers and, in the air, the national ardor of a sublime people who, clinging to their independence, decided to light a torch of dignity for all time.

It was January 12, 1869. Bayamo would be an impetuous fire and cradle of the most genuine nationality in the heat of a resolution: «Let the city burn before submitting it again to the yoke of the tyrant! ” October 1868– had been a banner of freedom.

Fire before slavery and decorum before humiliation: two convictions that then preceded the heroic burning. They were rich and poor, patriots and simple settlers, all united in the common ideal of not giving up their independence before the imminent arrival of Spanish troops to the city.

What tremendous greatness that of those men, women, the elderly and children who marched on foot, on horseback, in carts towards the mountains and surrounding cities, with the sky as their only roof and honor as their blanket.

What a sincere detachment that of wealthy patricians such as Perucho Figueredo and Vicente Aguilera, who chose decorum over their luxuries and mansions.

Directed by the Count of Valmaseda , the enemy troops could not enter the village until three days later. In his book Estampas de Bayamo , José Carbonell explained it this way: It was a cultured city, that was what the astonished eyes of the Spaniards witnessed. ”

Under the ashes, however, there were burning embers. Soon one fire would be kindled again, and another, inextinguishable crucible of that Revolution that was only one, of Céspedes until today.

Taken from Granma