MOSCOW, August 13 (RIA Novosti) - Cuba is celebrating its former leader and revolutionary Fidel Castro's 88th birthday Wednesday.
Celebrations began Tuesday with a photo exhibition that features 80 photographs taken between 2005 and 2012 by Roberto Chile, Castro’s personal photographer for 25 years. The exhibition will run until September 13.
The birthplace of Fidel Castro in the town of Biran has undergone major repairs for the occasion, while the wax museum of the city of Bayamo is to display a sculpture of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a personal friend of the Cuban leader, starting Wednesday.
The celebrations also include camping, sporting events, dance festivals and concerts, according to Prensa Latina news agency.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Fidel Castro in July while visiting Cuba. The two leaders are said to have discussed international affairs and the global economy during an hour-long conversation. They also talked about the state and development of Russian-Cuban relations.
Fidel Castro was born on August 13, 1926, in the village of Biran. He became Cuban prime minister in February 1959. In 2008, he announced his resignation as head of state. He remained the first secretary of the Cuban Communist Party until April 19, 2011, when he officially announced his resignation from the post. Since retiring, Castro has devoted his time to publishing a series of articles called “Reflections.”
