Havana, January 14 (RHC)-- Cuban university students will dedicate this year's torchlight march to the 90th birthday of Cuban Revolution leader Fidel Castro and the 163rd birthday anniversary of National Hero José Martí.

As traditional, at 12 midnight on January 28th, students march from the historic steps of the University of Havana up to the Fragua Martiana memorial, built at the site where the San Lázaro quarries were located back in the 19th century. In 1871, then 17-year old Martí was condemned to carry out forced labor, while being imprisoned for his anti-colonialist, pro-independence ideas.

The torchlight march was first carried out in 1953 to mark José Martí's 100th birthday anniversary.

In statements to the press, Luís Ángel González, who is the Communications Secretary of the Federation of University Students (FEU), said this year's march pays tribute to the 7th Congress of the Cuban Communist Party and the 50th anniversary of the Continental Organization of Latin American and Caribbean Students.