The leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro, appeared in public for the first time since April 2013. reported this on January 9 The Associated Press , citing the local press.

87-year-old Castro yesterday attended the opening of the art studio of artist Alexis Leyva in Havana. According to the official publication of the Communist Party of Cuba, Granma, the leader of the revolution “greeted the artists and spectators, who emotionally applauded his appearance.”

The online publication Cubadebate published a photo of Castro communicating with Leyva. In the photo, the former head of state is captured from the back, and his face is not included in the frame.

Fidel Castro led Cuba for 48 years. In 2006, he left politics due to his deteriorating health, and his brother Raul took over the leadership of the country. Raul Castro was formally elected president in January 2008.

In recent years, Castro has rarely appeared in public, which is why rumors periodically begin to circulate about his serious illness or death. The last time he took part in a public event was in April 2013: then Castro appeared at the opening of one of the schools. In June, Cuban media distributed photographs of him from a meeting with the Speaker of the Venezuelan Parliament, Diosdado Cabello, and in August, his last printed article was published in the press.

Fidel Castro appeared in public for the first time in nine months