The historical feature film “Kangamba,” centered on the deployment of Cuban troops alongside Angolan forces, was screened Thursday at the National Mujahid Museum in Algiers. The event commemorated the centenary of the birth of Cuban Revolution leader Fidel Castro, born in 1926 and deceased in 2016.
Organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Algeria under the theme “100 Years with Fidel,” the screening used cinema to illuminate a pivotal chapter in the history of Cuban involvement in Africa, recalling the historical ties uniting Cuba with various continental liberation movements.
Directed and written by Rogelio Paris in 2008, “Kangamba” revisits the battles fought in Angola and the role played by Cuban combatants supporting forces loyal to the Angolan government. The event offered the Algiers audience an opportunity to rediscover a work rooted in historical memory marked by anti-colonial struggles, international solidarity, and support for nations fighting for sovereignty.
The session took place in the presence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Algeria, Hector Igarza Cabrera, veteran freedom fighters, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Algeria, as well as film enthusiasts and history buffs. Hosting this initiative at the National Mujahid Museum added special significance, as the institution is dedicated to preserving the memory of the Algerian people’s independence struggle and serves as a symbol of resistance and national sovereignty.
On this occasion, the Cuban ambassador expressed that his country was honored to present this film in a space so deeply tied to Algeria’s historical memory. He highlighted the fight of Cuban soldiers who supported government-loyal forces in August 1983, recalling Cuba’s commitment to the African continent during major eras of liberation and sovereignty struggles.
Furthermore, the event showcased the depth of relations between Algeria and Cuba. The diplomat emphasized that both nations share deeply rooted values and principles, founded on solidarity, defense of freedom, and support for popular rights.
In this context, he reaffirmed Cuba’s steadfast stance favoring the Palestinian and Sahrawi causes, as well as the right of both peoples to self-determination and independent existence.
A Voice for International Causes
The gathering provided an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of Fidel Castro, a major figure in contemporary Cuban history and one of the most iconic leaders associated with liberation struggles and the defense of causes deemed just by Cuba. Through his political career and international actions, the Cuban leader maintained close ties with several African liberation movements and their leadership.
This African dimension of Castro’s life was underscored through a photographic exhibition organized in the lobby of the National Mujahid Museum. The displayed photographs trace key stages of the Cuban leader’s life and activism, highlighting his connections with various liberation movements and their historic figures.
The exhibition pays special attention to Castro’s ties with Algeria and key figures in South African and broader continental liberation struggles. It complemented the screening of “Kangamba” by offering visitors a broader perspective on an era defined by fights for independence, sovereignty, and human emancipation.
Through cinema and photography, this initiative bridged historical memory and international relations, recalling the central place of solidarity in Algerian-Cuban affairs. Dedicating the event to the centenary of Castro’s birth allowed for a reflection on a figure whose path remains intertwined with the Cuban Revolution and Cuba’s global commitments.
Ultimately, the presentation of “Kangamba” fits into an effort to pass down memory and honor the historic bonds between the Algerian and Cuban peoples, combining a cinematic portrayal of Cuba’s African engagement with an exhibition tracing key moments of Fidel Castro’s journey.