A grain of poetry suffices to season a century. -- José Martí

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José Martí (1853-1895) was a remarkable person for whom art and activism were powerfully intertwined. He was a Cuban poet, journalist and revolutionary philosopher who dedicated his life to Cuba’s struggle for independence from Spain. Imprisoned at age 18 and later exiled from Cuba due to his political activities, Martí spent much of his lifetime in the United States. There he wrote, published, organized, and raised money to support a free Cuba.

In 1895, he returned to his homeland to fight in the Ten Years War, where he died in battle. His life and early death has made him a martyr and a national hero.

Today, representations of Martí can be found everywhere in Cuba: in public buildings and parks, on private patios, in urban gardens and rural farms. He is called the apostle of Cuban independence as well as the intellectual author of the Cuban Revolution of 1959. His image serves as a reminder of the deep roots of their struggle for autonomy. His anti-colonialist, anti-racist ideas are still relevant today, and they remain an inspiration around the world.