Vladimir Putin inaugurated the 19th Worldwide Festival of Youth and Students.

SOCHI, Russia. – Russian President Vladimir Putin urged young people of the world to employ the strength of friendship and solidarity, in his speech at the inaugural ceremony of the 19th Worldwide Festival of Youth and Students at the Ice Palace, in the Russian city of Sochi.

Before more than twenty thousand young people from about 188 countries, among them the enthusiastic Cuban delegation, Putin recalled that 70 years ago the first World Festival was held and at that time young people were united by the force of dreaming.

Vladimir Putin said the Festival is a meeting of diverse countries that brought together by the love of freedom, peace and solidarity.

Fidel, Symbol for World Youth

Fidel’s thought has an extraordinary effect on the young people of the world, as it was demonstrated in a lecture dedicated to the Commander-in-Chief of the Cuban Revolution at the Main Media Centre, in the 19th Worldwide Festival of Youth and Students in the Russian city of Sochi.

Yailin Orta, director of Juventud Rebelde newspaper, Yusuam Palacios, president of the Marti Youth Movement, and historian Elier Ramirez spoke about humanist Fidel who impels to continue fighting for humanity, the leader of solidarity, anti-imperialist, revolutionary and patriot.

Artem Lepeshkin, from Moscow State University, said Fidel does not belong to Cuba but to the whole world, and that the great success of the Cuban Revolution was to have a great guide as the Commander-in-Chief.

An emotional moment was the performance of poets Aramis Padilla and Hector Gutierrez who dedicated their verses to Fidel.

Today the Cuban delegation will participate in the parade and a forum of solidarity with the island.