Big rally, military parade in Cuba marks revolution

Celebration normally takes place every five years on Dec 2, but was postponed due to

Cuba paraded troops and hundreds of thousands of citizens through its emblematic Revolution Square on Monday in a traditional show of nationalist fighting spirit and in homage to the late leader Fidel Castro.

The event marked the 60th anniversary of the landing of the Granma yacht which brought Fidel Castro and his 82 followers from Mexico to Cuba to start their revolution against US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista.

The parade was chaired by leader Raul Castro, who also participated in the uprising in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, on Nov 30, 1956.

Also present at the parade were surviving founders of the Cuban Revolution, despite their advanced ages.

"It's the most important day for us. Fidel will always be remembered by the people and we'll continue supporting Raul for our entire life," said Luis Domingo, an 82-year-old retired army officer.

Many carried images of the former Cuban leader or banners with slogans such as "Thank you Fidel", "Fidel is Cuba."

"This is an important message of unity and strength," said Rene Lazo, 66, who, like most, got up well before the crack of dawn to participate in the parade.

"This is going to be a difficult year but we will keep working hard to bring our people forward".

'In all our hearts'

While the parade normally takes place every five years on Dec 2, it was postponed a month due to the leader's death in late November.

"He may not be present physically but he is in all our hearts," said Natalia Gonzales, who had painted "I am Fidel" on the foreheads of her three grandchildren.

Juana Salazar, a teacher who took her 8-year-old daughter to the parade, said: "This is the first time we celebrate the anniversary of the revolution without our Commander Fidel, but he'll always be with us. All of us are Fidel and he will be present at all times as we are the result of his struggle."

In a keynote address, Jennifer Bello, president of the Young Communist League, stressed the relevance of the event and ratified the commitment of the island's younger generations to follow Fidel's ideas and work.

"Cuba is not going to give up one of its principles, we are a free and independent people," said Marina Gonzalez, a psychology student at the University of Havana.