The Camilo Cienfuegos Military School (EMCC) in Bayamo held a collective 15th birthday party this Friday, under a scorching sun.
Various officialist profiles and the Facebook account of the Eastern Army celebrated the event with a triumphant tone, in which the young people being trained as future repressors collectively celebrated their 15th anniversary.
Almost 40 students from the military school paraded in quinceañera dresses alongside military cadets, at a celebration that has transformed into an ideological event within these organizations.
The young women, taken to a square in Bayamo in horse-drawn carriages, danced a waltz under the sun, but they also had to witness recitals and songs from other students of the EMCC in that square.
Children from primary school and students from the "Camilita" school were taken to the activity.
Later, they toasted and danced in a party hall at the Casa Azul in the city.
In a celebratory tone, an official profile wrote that it was a day "of celebration and colors", in which the festivities filled the city "with joy".
"A city that came together in cheers to celebrate our students in this wonderful tradition of our camilitos schools," he stated.
These anachronistic collective quinceañera parties have been the subject of various comments since the official press began to report on several of these events.
This type of "tradition" is usually displayed by official media in an attempt to humanize the young people who will tomorrow be part of the various repressive bodies of the Cuban regime.
In early March, the Camilo Cienfuegos Military School of Holguín announced another celebration of these traditional collective quinceañera parties at these indoctrination schools for youths.
Although the celebration of 15 years in Cuba is often associated with family and friends, in military schools these traditions are transformed into ideological events.
Young women must pose and dance alongside military cadets, transforming a part of the personal sphere of Cuban women.
Frequently Asked Questions About Collective 15-Year-Old Celebrations at Military Schools in Cuba
What are the collective 15th birthday celebrations at military schools in Cuba?
The collective 15th birthday parties at military schools in Cuba are celebrations organized for students who turn 15, where traditional elements are combined with ideological acts. These parties take place in institutions that train future Cuban military personnel and are presented by the regime as a "beautiful tradition."
How are these celebrations used for ideological purposes?
These celebrations are used as propaganda tools to humanize future soldiers and reinforce the ideological indoctrination of young people. Quinceañera parties turn into events that blend personal celebration with tributes to figures of the regime, such as Ernesto "Che" Guevara, and are presented as a "beautiful tradition" that showcases a more appealing side of military schools.
What is the criticism of these celebrations in the current Cuban context?
In the context of the deep economic and social crisis that Cuba is experiencing, these celebrations are seen as an attempt by the regime to divert attention from the real problems facing the country. The criticism focuses on the fact that, instead of addressing the urgent needs of the population, the government continues to invest resources in propaganda events that perpetuate the official ideology. Furthermore, these events are interpreted as an invasion into individuals' personal sphere, as they are used for political purposes.
Why are these celebrations considered anachronistic and controversial?
These celebrations are considered anachronistic and controversial because they transform a personal tradition into an act of political propaganda, using the celebration of a girl's 15th birthday to reinforce the ideological indoctrination of the students. Additionally, they take place in a context where the population faces economic difficulties, leading to criticism regarding the priority that the regime gives to these events.
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