The May 1st holiday this year will be very special in Cuba because the International Workers’ Day coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution and the 70th anniversary of the CTC, Central de Trabajadores de Cuba [National Workers' Union]. Half a million Cuban marchers are expected to participate in the events.
International representation will also be strong. Nearly 1,496 representatives from 58 countries are expected to attend the May Day parade. Also on the list are union and social leaders from 25 North American, Latin American, and Caribbean nations, 19 European countries, five Asian nations, seven from Africa and the Middle East, as well as Australia and New Zealand. Among the most numerous delegations confirmed so far are those from France with 178 participants, Uruguay with 163, United Kingdom 112, Canada 102, Japan 87, Brazil 69, Australia 68, Belgium 53, and Argentina 50.
Workers and their families will march in the May Day parade at the Plaza de la Revolución José Martí in Havana. The parade will be led by Cuban labor groups from the areas of health and education, followed by workers representing 19 national labor unions, including construction workers, employees from the tourism industry and business, and about 1,000 agricultural workers. The parade will close with about 40,000 children, adolescents, and youth, including strong participation from university student groups.
For full article in Spanish, see http://www.ain.cu/2009/abril/18ascapitalinos.htm
For a summary in English, see http://news.caribseek.com/Curacao/Amigoe/article_76966.shtml
Photograph from http://www.juventudrebelde.cu/cuba/2008-04-22/los-jovenes-abriran-y-cerraran-el-desfile-el-primero-de-mayo/
