Venez Congress Honors Che Birth

Caracas, June 14 (Prensa Latina) Venezuela's National Assembly devoted a session Thursday to mark the 79th anniversary of the birth of Ernesto Che Guevara.

President of the National Youth Institute, Maria Jimenez, who was in charge of the panegyric for the legendary Latin American guerrilla, called on the new generation of Venezuelans to imitate his exemplary life.

There is no better glory for a revolutionary than to perform his her duty, and this is the primary moral, ethical element left by Ernesto Che Guevara, said the youth leader.

Today we have in Venezuela a revolutionary government that works for the human being, for the construction of a new society and the birth of a new man, as dreamed by Guevara, she noted while calling revolutionary youth to assume their commitment with the ongoing process of democratic change, with the Venezuelan and the Latin American peoples, and rescue Guevara's ideas by putting them into practice.

Guevara met Fidel Castro and Fidel's brother Raúl in Mexico City where the two were living after having been amnestied from prison in Cuba in 1955. The Castro brothers were preparing to return to Cuba with an expeditionary force in an attempt to overthrow General Fulgencio Batista, who had assumed dictatorial powers following a coup d'état during the 1952 presidential elections. Guevara quickly joined the "26th of July Movement (M-26-7)", named in commemoration of the date of the failed attack on the Moncada barracks that had been the cause of the Castros' imprisonment.



The Castro brothers, Guevara, and approximately 80 other guerrillas departed from Tuxpan, Veracruz, aboard the cabin cruiser Granma in November 1956. Guevara was one of only four non-Cubans aboard. The landing was planned to coincide with an uprising, organized by Frank País, in Santiago de Cuba on 30 November, but Granma was delayed, and the uprising was suppressed. Shortly after disembarking in a swampy area near Niquero in southeastern Cuba on 2 December, the expeditionary unit was attacked by Batista's forces. In the aftermath of the battle of Alegría de Pío where infantry, air and naval attacks killed three rebels, the unit was dispersed into several small groups that lost contact with each other.

Map of Cuba showing the location of the arrival of the rebels on the Granma yacht in late 1956, the rebels' stronghold in the Sierra Maestra, and Guevara's route towards Havana via Las Villas Province in December 1958
Guevara, the troop's physician, writes that during this battle he laid down his knapsack containing medical supplies in order to pick up a box of ammunition dropped by a fleeing comrade, a moment which he later recalled as marking his transition from physician to combatant.[1] Only 15-20 rebels survived these initial engagements to later re-group as a bedraggled fighting force; they then moved deep into the Sierra Maestra mountains where they received support from Frank País's network and local guajiro country folk, including Celia Sánchez Mandulay, Huber Matos, the bandit Cresencio Pérez, and a few covert communists who had been living in those mountains since the 1930s. At their encampments in the distant reaches of the Sierra, they slowly grew in strength, seizing weapons and winning support and recruits from guajiros, montunos and property owners (such as the Babun and Matos) in rural areas and also gaining increasing support from the general population in urban areas. Although the Cuban Communist Party (Partido Socialista Popular) did not back Castro until it was clear he was winning in the middle of 1958, the covert communist cells in the mountains did give assistance. The main source of support, including funding, arms supply and a large contingent of fighters continued to be the non-communist urban branch of the 26th of July Movement, directed by Frank País and, after his death, by "Daniel" (nom de guerre of René Ramos Latour). Guevara did not get along with the Frank País contingent and feuded and criticized them continuously. At El Uvero there were more of Frank País's followers among the combatants than "mountain" guerrillas. Guevara ridiculed these urban fighters for lack of fitness, while he himself was riding a mule because of his asthma.


Guevara gradually gained enough respect and trust from his fellow Sierra fighters for Castro to appoint him commandante of a second army column. In his new role he became something of a "a fanatic of example", a strict disciplinarian whose harsh methods were notorious amongst the rebels.[2] Deserters were severely punished, and on a number of occasions Guevara sent execution squads into the bush to hunt down those he believed were betraying the revolution by seeking an escape. After one such execution, Guevara wrote that he was "not very convinced of the legality of the death, although I used it as an example".[3] On another occasion, Guevara ordered the execution of a deserter whom he was informed had "victimized an entire section of the population, perhaps in collusion with the army". After the man had been shot three times, Guevara wrote; "those who took advantage of the prevailing atmosphere in the area to commit crimes was unfortunately, not infrequent in the Sierra Maestra".[3]
He was selected by Fidel Castro to lead one of the three columns that crossed the plains of the Cauto; it is said that during this westward march he received protection from the escopeteros—men armed with shotguns—of the "Muchachos" de Orlando Lara Batista[4][5] who had already linked up with Camilo Cienfuegos and other main force elements of Fidel Castro's Column 1.[citation needed] Then Guevara crossed, with the support of local Escopeteros the even flatter plains of Camagüey heading towards the mountainous Santa Clara province in central Cuba which his column reached in late 1958.

Che Gueavara

Beatiful portait..

Newspaper Articles Concerning Guevara (with pictures)

Format: Date, Subject/Title, Source.
October 17, 2005. Che Guevara Legacy Lives On in Bolivia: Seoul Times / BBC.
October 17, 2005. Commemorated in Nicaragua death of Che Guevara: ahora.cu
October 9, 2005. Che Guevara, hope of the world: Dominican Daily, Dominican Republic
October 8, 2005: On this day: October 9, 1967 - Che Guevara 'Shot Dead'
June 15, 2003. Che would have turned 75 today: Reuters.
June 9, 2001. Venezuela's Chavez Declares Revolutionary Campaign: Reuters.
May 25, 2001. Cuba's 'Che' Photographer Korda Dies in Paris: Reuters.
September 10, 2000. Alberto Korda against vodka ad image of 'Che': Reuters/Times of India.
August 9, 2000. Guevara's image used to sell vodka: AP.
January 1, 1999. Castro returns to scene of revolution's triumph: AP.
December 29, 1998. Cuba Honors Guerrilla Hero ``Tania'' Before Burial: Reuters.
December 2, 1998. Colombia guerrilla negotiator: We will not lay down arms: AP.Not directly Che-related, but read closely and you might see a connection.
April 30, 1998. Che felt betrayed by Castro, Bolivian officer claims: AP.
April 17, 1998. Some Cuban Exiles Offended by Taco Bell Ad: CNN, Reuters.
March/April 1998. Che Guevara's Irish Roots: Irish America.
February 20, 1998. More Bodies of Che Guevara Comrades Found in Bolivia: Reuters.
Oct. 18, 1997. Che buried in Cuba 30 years after death: CBC Newsworld.
Oct. 18, 1997. Article about Che's funeral service: Reuters, scanned from the St. Catharines Standard.
Oct. 17, 1997. Cuba Buries Che, the Man, but Keeps the Myth Alive: AP.
Oct. 17, 1997. Article about Che's funeral: CNN.
Oct. 12, 1997. Castro digs up memories of Che Guevara: CBC Newsworld.
Oct. 12, 1997. Article about Che's bones in Havana: Toronto Star.
Oct. 8, 1997. Honored, Despised Or Exploited, Che Lives On: Reuters.
Oct. 7, 1997. Thousands Remember 'Che' Guevara: AP.
Oct. 3, 1997. Reclaiming Che's Legacy: Norman Stockwell, The Capital Times. (also listed at the top of this site under Various Biographical Information)
September 1997. 30th anniversary of Che Guevara's death.
August 15, 1997. Argentines reviving the legend of Che Guevara: Movies, paraphernalia celebrate 30th anniversary of his death. From CNN.
July 24, 1997. Marxist revolutionary seizes market place from beyond grave (a look at Che's image in marketing): CNN.
July 21, 1997. Che Chic: Che "has become a pop icon throughout the world": Newsweek.
July 21, 1997. Small update- Che's bones: Canadian edition of Time Magazine.
July 7, 1997. Article about Che's remains: Reuters, Philadelphia Inquirer.
~July 10, 1997. Bones Being Checked with Che's Medical File: AP.

How a revolutionary became a rock star

A film looks at the man and moment that made a leader immortal, writes Gabriel Wilder.

It is one of the world's most reproduced images, spanning continents and generations, yet few know of the hand that snapped it. Now a film documents the origins of the iconic picture of Che Guevara - reprinted on millions of posters and T-shirts since it was taken in 1960 - and the photographer who created it.

"There is a reason why this image is still so popular," says Hector Cruz Sandoval, the director of Kordavision.

"The look is tremendous: those fiery eyes and the long hair, even what he was wearing was kind of cool; but [mostly] it's that internal fiery look of conviction."

Cruz Sandoval's film, which is screening as part of the second Sydney Latin American Film Festival, portrays the life of Alberto Diaz Gutierrez - "Korda" - a photographer living and working in a country at a time of seismic change.

It opens with news footage of the explosion of the French ship La Coubre at the Havana docks on March 4, 1960. (The film portrays it as an act of sabotage; like much of Cuba's history, this has been disputed.) More than 100 Cubans were killed and a memorial service was held the next day, with Fidel Castro delivering a speech while various leading lights of the new government and celebrities, including Guevara, Jean Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, looked on.

"I was taking photos of everything during the ceremony," Korda tells Cruz Sandoval's camera, as he stands on the street where the service was held more than four decades ago. "But you couldn't see Che. He was in the second row. Suddenly he peered out to the edge of the platform and looked at the crowd that filled the street."

Korda clicked the shutter and an icon was born.

The newspaper that had sent him to cover the event didn't publish the image but Korda liked it and made a print for his wall. In 1967 he gave it to the radical Italian publisher Giangiacomo Feltrinelli for use on the cover of an edition of Guevara's diaries. Feltrinelli had posters made and these were used by students in the demonstrations sweeping Europe at the time. Since then, it has become ubiquitous, as recognisable to teenagers today as it is to their parents and grandparents.

And despite its appropriation by popular culture and marketing (Korda won a settlement against an advertising company that used the image with neither permission nor payment), Cruz Sandoval believes it remains a symbol of idealism.

"I think people … want to be anti or pro something. They want to feel something. They want to believe in something. "Unfortunately there are a lot of people who buy a $20 T-shirt with images of Che thinking they've bought part of the revolution … [but] you don't buy a revolution with $20; you've gotta die, sweat blood, tears, all of that stuff. You gotta fight for it."

Born in Los Angeles to Mexican parents, Cruz Sandoval, now 41, didn't give Cuba much thought until he was sent there to cover a visit by Pope John Paul and realised the US embargo had prevented him from knowing anything at all about this nearby country.

"It intrigued me tremendously, and I thought, 'Well, why the hell can't I come down here and find out more about it?"'

Cruz Sandoval met Korda, who had been asked by the Vatican to photograph the pope's visit - and decided to make a film about the man and his work.

Thanks to Korda, Cruz Sandoval was given unprecedented access to the national archives, and the film is brimming with never-before-seen photographs and archival film of the revolution in its infancy.

"I was able to scan hundreds of contact sheets that represented the majority of the revolutionary work, and I was also able to see some [of his] fashion photography that I was completely unaware of."

Cruz Sandoval says the skills Korda developed while working in fashion made his reportage stand out.

"I think that [the fashion photography] actually lent itself to the new revolutionary work he was doing and created a unique style in the sense that he created a revolution glam look. He really helped the new Cuban leaders to promote the new idealism."

In 2001, while the director was still working with the photographer on the film, Korda died of a heart attack.

"It struck me pretty hard," Cruz Sandoval says. "I kind of shut down [for] about a year, a year and a half … put the project on the shelf for a little while. But I was able to emotionally and spiritually and financially come back to my feet and finish it off."

He remembers Korda as a gifted photographer who never boasted about his achievements.

"He really taught me how to see a little better. I was pretty naive about certain things of Cuban history. And now I know a little bit more. And I think that's the essence of documentary work - we need more information to make educated decisions."

Hector Cruz Sandoval will introduce Kordavision at the Chauvel Cinema on Sunday at 6.30pm. The film also screens at Club Marconi on March 4. More information at sydneylatinofilmfestival.org

What is it about Che?

What is it about Che Guevara that makes him mythical nearly 30 years after his death?
Che became rooted not only in worldwide political mythology, but even in American pop culture.

READ MORE>>

Madonna does a Che Guevara

Here is an amusing article on the site Music Posters
The writer likens the Music poster for Madonna’s American Life album to the iconic Che Guevara image found on student T’shirts and flags the world over.



This one image has stood for so much over the years, like many icons I am not sure that the wearers of the T’shirts always know who he is.
The stare is one of defiance and the beard is one which is worn simply because he was living and fighting in a jungle and could not possibly shave rather than any artistic motivation. Just one of those happy (if you can call revolutionaries happy) combination of circumstances which makes for such a great statement.
Madonna on the other hand goes for two dollops of red paint smeared across her head. I dont really think she carries it off does she?




It really is a shame that Che did not register the image, think how many more nukes Fidel could have bought with the money. But that’s communism for you.Anyway as a fully paid up capitalist here is a link where you can buy Che Guevara flags here


Roughly translated the phrase means “Fight ’till victory”


source: http://flagman.org.uk/news/?p=55

Family heritage and early life of Che Guevara

The building where Che Guevara lived during his first years, on 480 Entre Ríos St., Rosario, Argentina (his city of birth).
This picture was taken by Pablo D. Flores on 7 March 2006.

Ernesto Guevara de la Serna was born in Rosario, Argentina, the eldest of five children in a family of Spanish and Irish descent; both his father and mother were of Basque ancestry.Basque[›] The date of birth recorded on his birth certificate was June 14, 1928, although one tertiary source (Julia Constenla, quoted by Jon Lee Anderson) asserts that he was actually born on May 14 of that year (Constenla alleges that she was told by an unidentified astrologer that his mother, Celia de la Serna, was already pregnant when she and Ernesto Guevara Lynch were married and that the birth date of their son was forged a month later than the actual date to avoid scandal).[5] One of Guevara's forebears, Patrick Lynch, was born in Galway, Ireland, in 1715. He left for Bilbao, Spain, and traveled from there to Argentina. Francisco Lynch (Guevara's great-grandfather) was born in 1817, and Ana Lynch (his beloved grandmother) in 1868Galway[›] Her son, Ernesto Guevara Lynch (Guevara's father) was born in 1900. Guevara Lynch married Celia de la Serna y Llosa in 1927, and they had three sons and two daughters.
Growing up in this leftist-leaning déclassé family of aristocratic lineage, Guevara became known for his dynamic personality and radical perspective even as a boy. He idolized Francisco Pizarro and yearned to have been one of his soldiers.[6] Though suffering from the crippling bouts of asthma that were to afflict him throughout his life, he excelled as an athlete. He was an avid rugby union player despite his handicap and earned himself the nickname "Fuser" — a contraction of "El Furibundo" (English: "The Raging") and his mother's surname, "Serna" — for his aggressive style of play. Ernesto was nicknamed Chancho or pig by his schoolmates because he rarely bathed- something he was rather proud of.[7]

Guevara on a burro at the age of 3
Guevara learned chess from his father and began participating in local tournaments by the age of 12.[8] During his adolescence he became passionate about poetry, especially that of Pablo NerudaNeruda[›]. Guevara, as is common practice among Latin Americans of his class, also wrote poems throughout his life. He was an enthusiastic and eclectic reader, with interests ranging from adventure classics by Jack London, Emilio Salgari and Jules Verne to essays on sexuality by Sigmund Freud and treatises on social philosophy by Bertrand Russell. In his late teens, he developed a keen interest in photography and spent many hours photographing people, places and, during later travels, archaeological sites.

With his parents and siblings in 1936
In 1948 Guevara entered the University of Buenos Aires to study medicine. While a student, he spent long periods traveling around Latin America. In 1951 his older friend, Alberto Granado, a biochemist, suggested that Guevara take a year off from his medical studies to embark on a trip they had talked of making for years, traversing South America. Guevara and the 29-year-old Granado soon set off from their hometown of Alta Gracia astride a 1939 Norton 500 cc motorcycle they named La Poderosa II (English: "the Mighty One, the Second") with the idea of spending a few weeks volunteering at the San Pablo Leper colony in Peru on the banks of the Amazon River. Guevara narrated this journey in The Motorcycle Diaries, which was translated into English in 1996 and used in 2004 as the basis for a motion picture of the same name.
Witnessing the widespread poverty, oppression and disenfranchisement throughout Latin America, and influenced by his readings of Marxist literature, Guevara decided that the only solution for the region’s inequalities was armed revolution. His travels and readings also led him to view Latin America not as a group of separate nations but as a single entity requiring a continent-wide strategy for liberation. His conception of a borderless, united Ibero-America sharing a common 'mestizo' cultureIbero-America[›] was a theme that would prominently recur during his later revolutionary activities. Upon returning to Argentina, he expedited the completion of his medical studies in order to resume his travels in Central and South America and received his diploma on 12 June 1953.Diploma[›]

Che Guevara - Hasta La Vista

Ernesto Guevara de la Serna (June 14, 1928 – October 9, 1967), commonly known as Che Guevara or el Che, was an Argentine-born Marxist revolutionary, political figure, and leader of Cuban and internationalist guerrillas. As a young man studying medicine, Guevara traveled roughrough[›] throughout Latin America, bringing him into direct contact with the impoverished conditions in which many people lived. His experiences and observations during these trips led him to the conclusion that the region's socioeconomic inequalities could only be remedied by revolution, prompting him to intensify his study of Marxism and travel to Guatemala to learn about the reforms being implemented there by President Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán.
Some time later, Guevara joined Fidel Castro's paramilitary 26th of July Movement, which seized power in Cuba in 1959. He served as commander of the La Cabaña prison, where he oversaw the summary executions of the revolution's political enemies. Guevara was responsible for the murders of as many as 2,000 people at La Cabaña.[1] Later, Fidel Castro placed him in charge of creating forced labor camps where he imprisoned homosexuals and political dissidents. Guavara wrote a number of articles and books on the theory and practice of guerrilla warfare. He left Cuba in 1965 with the intention of fomenting revolutions first in Congo-Kinshasa, and then in Bolivia, where he was captured in a CIA/ U.S. Army Special Forces-organized military operation.[2] Guevara was summarily executed by the Bolivian Army in La Higuera near Vallegrande on October 9, 1967.[3]
After his death, Guevara became an icon of socialist revolutionary movements worldwide. An Alberto Korda photo of him (shown) has received wide distribution and modification. The Maryland Institute College of Art called this picture "the most famous photograph in the world and a symbol of the 20th century."[4]