18th World Festival of Youth and Students to kick off

From 2pm, the park was vibrant with different colors representing teams from over 100 participating countries around the world. The atmosphere was resounded with cheers "Vivar Festival", combined with vibrant typical Latin American music and lively dance of the youngsters.

Addressing the opening speech, Mr. Dimitris Palmirys - The President of The World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) mentioned the death of Mr. Nelson Mandela - the former South African President and paid tribute to his dedicated life and career against apartheid while expressing condolences to South American citizens and those who love peace and justice. A great cheer went up from over 5,000 youngsters and Ecuadorian people when his name was pronounced.

Also in the opening speech, Mr. Dimitris Palmirys called for the world youth solidarity to together build a new world that ensures minimum living standard for human while demanding the right for employment, education while controlling natural resources and curbing financial crisis.

Furthermore, he underscored that the imperialism and imperialist intervention into some countries should be opposed.

Bicentenario Park was truly burst with emotion by eloquent speech by Mr. Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado - President of Ecuador.  He delivered an articulate speech on anti-imperialism, revolutionary spirit and determination to bring a better life to people, especially the poor. His eloquent speech continued even in pouring rain, when Ecuador’s temperature fell to 14 degree Celsius, which made all people exploded with emotion. That the cold rain lashed on their faces could not curb their burning spirit during the speech.

This speech of Ecuador President and the previous one of Ms. Gabriela Rivadeneira, the 30-year-old President of Congress, both called the world youth’s solidarity to oppose imperialism and assert not to be the backyard of any imperialist powers. The participants’ supportive applause and cheers resounds regardless of the cold rainy atmosphere in the capital, which is 2,850 meter high above the sea.

December 8 (December 9, Vietnam Time Zone) took place the 2nd working day of the festival, which addressed the conferences and forums on youth’s right, anti- imperialism and the likes.