When in February of last year the direction of the Cuban Friendship Institute (ICAP), in Holguin, together with collaborators of agencies, organizations and institutions, paid a last tribute to the dear Austrian friend Stefan Krenn, president in life of the Austrian organization “Buena Vista, solidarity with Cuba”, justice was done by recognizing him among the men who, as José Martí said, dislodge the mountains and put themselves in the place of the mountains.
Nothing could stop Stefan’s dedication to just causes, such as the anti-fascist and peace movements, against racism, neo-liberal globalization, in favor of the demand for the end of the US blockade of Cuba and the withdrawal of the naval base still illegally maintained in Guantanamo.
Stefan Krenn, Solidarity, ICAP, Citma, Holguín
With a transparent life and completely devoted to just causes, as a member of the leftist movement and militant of the Communist Party, the lathe mechanic Stefan Krenn, an active union leader, told me in an interview that he had fallen in love with Cuba and its dignified, patriotic and supportive people, for which reason, he could not delay his visits, essentially to Holguin, where he dropped anchor.
Here he was very active and was always thinking of possible ways to cooperate. That is why he promoted, with his solidary group “Buena Vista”, actions of repair and maintenance to homes of children without family protection and special education centers. Also, in 2008, “Buena Vista” and “Friends of Cuba in Salzburg OGB”, adopted an irrigation project, in coordination with the Cuban trade union leadership and another independent, to expand the library of the Clinical Surgical Hospital Lucia Iniguez Landin. Stefan also held exchanges with specialists from the Center for Information and Technological Management, CIGET, of the Cuban Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, CITMA, to carry out another cooperation action.
During the celebration of the International Colloquiums for the Freedom of The Five and against terrorism, held in the province of Holguin, Stefan was among the most outstanding collaborators, contributing, in addition, with five thousand 500 euros, to the recovery of the damages caused by hurricane Sandy in 2012 and was the bearer of the trophies for the winners of the cycling Cups, which were held in those days.
Holguín, Austria, Colidaridad, Icap, Citma, Ciget
Cycling races, summoned by Icap and the National Institute of Sports and Recreation, Inder, that were maintained until 2019, and even, one of the three remaining cups, was delivered a few days ago in an emotional sports and recreational activity, in which homage was paid to the dear friend who, before dying physically on July 4, 2022 at 78 years of age, had requested that part of his ashes be brought to Holguin, to be scattered in the sea. In compliance with his will, the Gibara coastline was chosen, very close to the monument erected to Commander Camilo Cienfuegos Gorriarán in February last year, after the signing of the book of honor, at the ICAP headquarters.
Holguín, Austria, Solidarity, Icap, Citma, Ciget, Cuba
In the recreational sports activity, held in his memory, the Icap specialist, Iván Fernández, reviewed details of the life and work of the solidary friend who received the Solidarity Medal and the Holguín Coat of Arms, as well as a special recognition from the Lucía Íñiguez Landín Clinical Surgical Hospital.
Meanwhile, Rafael Siegfried Achoben, president of the solidarity Association, awarded the winners of the competition and the participants enjoyed the musical performance entitled, Thanks to life, in the voices of Christian Buchinger and Beltina Esoka, two of the 17 members of the Austria-Cuba Friendship Association, who were visiting this city.
As people who love peace and solidarity among peoples, the young Austrians raised their voices against the genocide committed by Israel in Palestine, supporting the presence of one of the children of that noble people, Dr. Tareq Toame, who graduated in Holguin as a doctor and is now studying a specialty.
Holguin, solidarity, Austria, Icap, Citma, Giget
Gestures of solidarity that exercised during his life the friend Stefan Krenn, who, in spite of his delicate health, remained active, even running as candidate in the partisan elections of his country, participating in events and acts, proper of the campaign.
For his loyalty, commitments, dedication to just causes and his attachment to the Cuban Revolution in defense of its sovereignty, the name of Stefan Krenn remains in the memory of those of us who knew him, together with Icap, Inder, political, mass and student organizations, because, as José Martí recognized: ¨There are men who even after death give the light of dawn¨.
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