Che Guevara puts his ideas into action by doing volunteer work
In the 1960s, Che Guevara embodied his vision of the “new socialist man” by doing volunteer labor in Cuba. These rare photos, found in a private album, show him working alongside others, an example of his belief in solidarity and selfless action.
In the 1960s, Che Guevara developed the concept of the “new socialist man,” who would prioritize collective interests through altruistic aspirations. He emphasized the importance of voluntary work as a moral and revolutionary duty, and regularly sought to lead by example, offering his labor on weekends in factories, sugarcane fields, and construction sites across Cuba.
This vision was not theoretical. Che himself participated in hard manual labor, driven by the belief that personal sacrifice and solidarity were essential to building a new society. He joined workers in the fields and on construction sites, side by side, with no special treatment. This ethos of selflessness and commitment continues in Cuba today, a country known for its international solidarity, most famously embodied by Cuban doctors who volunteer in dozens of countries around the world.
The photographs shown here were part of a private album discovered in France, but the original owner - someone who was likely close to Che during these moments of voluntary work - remains a mystery. They offer a rare, unfiltered glimpse into a lesser-known yet deeply significant side of his revolutionary life.
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