Cuba Honors Fidel Castro's 99th Birthday with Centennial Celebrations in Birán

Under the shade of century-old carob and cedar trees that once sheltered his birth, Cuba launched nationwide commemorations for what would have been Fidel Castro's 100th birthday during an emotional ceremony Wednesday at the revolutionary leader's birthplace.

The event, marking Castro's 99th birthday anniversary, inaugurated a yearlong centennial program that poetically embodies "what the tree calls roots" — the enduring foundation of Cuba's socialist project. Army General Raúl Castro, Fidel's brother and successor, presided over the gathering alongside President Miguel Díaz-Canel and top Communist Party officials.

In a powerful address, Politburo member Roberto Morales Ojeda traced Fidel's trajectory from his childhood in this rural eastern Cuban settlement to becoming the architect of the Revolution. "Here in Birán, he was born to be light in dark times," Morales declared, "the voice of the voiceless and the hope of those who dared dream of a better world."

The ceremony unveiled plans for the 2026 centennial, approved during July's Party Central Committee plenum. The commemorations will emphasize youth engagement and nationwide participation through:

• Scholarly examination of Castro's political thought

• Cultural initiatives promoting anti-colonial narratives

• Productivity campaigns translating ideals into economic results

A performance by La Colmenita children's theater troupe dramatized Castro's upbringing through passages from Katiuska Blanco's biographical work Todo el tiempo de los cedros. Young actors portrayed the revolutionary's humble origins and formative relationships, including his father Ángel's stern compassion and mother Lina's indomitable spirit.

The production culminated with children leading the crowd in chanting "¡Yo soy Fidel!" — the signature revolutionary affirmation meaning "I am Fidel." Raúl Castro and Díaz-Canel personally thanked the performers for what the Army General called "such revolutionary, beautiful and moving artistry."

As night fell over the historic estate, attendees renewed their commitment to Castro's legacy through what Morales described as "concrete actions" — from scientific advances to daily productivity. The message echoed Che Guevara's tribute, recited during the event: that Cuba's revolution endures because Fidel led first — at Moncada, aboard the Granma, in the Sierra Maestra, and at Playa Girón.

The Birán ceremony sets the tone for 22 months of commemorations leading to August 13, 2026. With this celebration, Cuba reaffirms what President Díaz-Canel recently termed "the living revolution" — framing Castro's centennial not as nostalgia but as a roadmap for the nation's future challenges.