Images of Fidel Castro on show

As part of the China-Latin America and Caribbean 2016 Year of Culture Exchange, a show on Fidel Castro reveals the Cuban revolutionary's legendary life through photos and videos in Beijing. [Photo provided to China Daily]

As part of the China-Latin America and Caribbean 2016 Year of Culture Exchange, a show on Fidel Castro reveals the Cuban revolutionary's legendary life through photos and videos in Beijing.

The show, Fidel Is Fidel, features two videos and 87 photos taken by well-known photographers such as Robert Chile and Raul Corrales. It unveils the Cuban leader's important moments from the 1960s to the 21st century. It's also part of a celebration of the 90-year-old's birthday in August.

Photos such as Castro meeting writer Ernest Hemingway in 1960, speaking to his people, working until midnight and visiting the former Soviet Union for the first time are on display. Some of the revolutionary's signature portraits are in the exhibition.

The three-day show ends on June 16 at Capital Library in Beijing. Ding Li, Chinese vice-minister of culture, attended the opening ceremony.

Julio Ballester, Cuban deputy culture minister, says that the exhibition shows different parts of Castro: a politician and a spiritual leader. He says Castro has many artist friends in private life and he also is fond of books, music and films.

As part of the China-Latin America and Caribbean 2016 Year of Culture Exchange, a show on Fidel Castro reveals the Cuban revolutionary's legendary life through photos and videos in Beijing. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Castro visited China in 1995 and 2003. According to Ballester, the former Cuban president values China and Cuba's friendship very much.

As of today, more than 3,000 Chinese students have studied at colleges in Cuba. A movie telling a love story between a Chinese student and a Cuban is being filmed in Cuba.

"We hope to have more exchanges in the film industry with China," says Ballester.

In 2018, Cuba will hold a big book fair and China will be the guest of honor, he adds.

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