{"id":22684,"date":"2026-08-14T07:46:37","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T02:01:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=22684"},"modified":"2026-08-14T07:46:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T02:01:37","slug":"fidel-castro-centenary-special-events-held-in-russia-and-cuba-historic-friendship-remembered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=22684","title":{"rendered":"Fidel Castro Centenary: Special Events Held in Russia and Cuba, Historic Friendship Remembered<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dragon Media News Desk<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cuba and Russia have held a series of commemorative and cultural events marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of Fidel Castro, leader of the Cuban Revolution. Born on August 13, 1926, Castro is being remembered in Cuba for his political legacy and the historic significance of the 1959 Revolution, while Russia has highlighted his role as one of the principal symbols of the longstanding friendship between the two countries.<\/p>\n

The Russian Foreign Ministry described Castro as one of the significant political figures of the 20th century and recalled his major contribution to strengthening Cuba\u2013Russia relations. Moscow also reiterated its criticism of the decades-long US economic restrictions on Cuba, portraying them as part of a broader policy of pressure toward Latin America.<\/p>\n

Following the 1959 Revolution that overthrew the government of Fulgencio Batista, Castro emerged as Cuba\u2019s dominant political leader. Cuba subsequently distanced itself from its previous political and economic dependence on the United States and developed close relations with the Soviet Union. During the Cold War, the island became one of the most important theatres of global strategic rivalry between Washington and Moscow.<\/p>\n

Castro\u2019s supporters point to major advances in education, healthcare and social services under his leadership. His critics, however, have highlighted restrictions on political pluralism, freedom of expression and human rights as serious shortcomings of his rule. His legacy therefore remains both influential and contested in modern political history.<\/p>\n

For Russia, Castro\u2019s memory carries particular historical significance. In 1961, Yuri Gagarin, the first human to travel into space, visited Cuba and met Castro. Their meeting became a powerful symbol of the rapidly developing friendship between Cuba and the Soviet Union.<\/p>\n

Castro made his first extensive visit to the Soviet Union in 1963. During the trip, which lasted more than five weeks, he visited Moscow and several other Soviet cities, as well as industrial and scientific centres. The visit helped further deepen political, economic and security relations between Havana and Moscow.<\/p>\n

Castro died on November 25, 2016, at the age of 90.<\/p>\n

A monument to Castro was unveiled in Moscow in November 2022 in a ceremony attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Cuban President Miguel D\u00edaz-Canel. Putin remembered Castro as a symbol of courage, independence and the historic friendship between Russia and Cuba.<\/p>\n

Russia has organised a range of official and cultural activities to mark this year\u2019s centenary. A Russian delegation led by Mikhail Shvydkoy, the Russian President\u2019s Special Representative for International Cultural Cooperation, travelled to Havana for the commemorations.<\/p>\n

The delegation took part in the First International Colloquium, \u201cFidel: Legacy and Future,\u201d held from August 10 to 13. During the event, Shvydkoy delivered messages from President Putin addressed to former Cuban leader Ra\u00fal Castro and President Miguel D\u00edaz-Canel.<\/p>\n

Russia has also hosted exhibitions, lectures, friendship events and discussions examining Castro\u2019s political legacy and the history of Russia\u2013Cuba relations.<\/p>\n

The centenary comes at a time when Cuba is facing serious economic and energy challenges, while relations between Havana and Washington have again become increasingly tense. Against this backdrop, the Cuban leadership has presented Castro\u2019s legacy as a symbol of national sovereignty and political independence.<\/p>\n

Russia, meanwhile, continues to portray present-day Russia\u2013Cuba relations as a continuation of their historic friendship and has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strategic bilateral cooperation. The centenary commemorations have therefore served not only to honour Castro\u2019s historical role, but also to reconnect the decades-old Moscow\u2013Havana relationship with the realities of contemporary international politics.<\/p>\n

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