As Fidel spoke to the crowds gathered at the Columbia military base, today the Ciudad Libertad educational complex, in Marianao, on January 8, 1959, after his triumphant entry into Havana, white doves landed on his shoulders. He was the bearer of hope and they quickly identified him.
At the Ciudad Libertad educational complex, 30 years after that symbolic January 8. Photo: Archive

Thirty years later, recalling that date at the same site, some school children climbed up to the podium and placed a white dove in Fidel’s hands. Without a second thought, the Comandante en Jefe released the dove into the sky and, after flying over the stage several times, the bird landed on Fidel’s right shoulder where it sat, proudly looking down at the crowd.

Years passed and the moment arrived when the grateful accompanied Fidel to his final resting place, in Santiago de Cuba. The doves returned, his faithful companions throughout his enduring struggle for peace. They constitute an lasting symbol of hope and the faith that, like Fidel, his people will never stop fighting for that better world that he knew was both possible and necessary.

(Granma)

Wreaths sent on behalf of the Councils of State and Ministers and Cuban people were also placed by the foot of the casket which was covered by the Cuban flag, during the ceremony which takes place every May 19, at that special place.

This year, the guard of honor dedicated to Cuba’s national hero was led by outstanding cadets from the University of Medical Sciences and Revolutionary Armed Forces, as well as students from the Camilo Cienfuegos Military School, in the province of Artemisa.

(Granma)