[Fidel’s Passing, Part 1 of 6] Being in Havana for Fidel Castro’s Death

Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruiz was one of the most influential and controversial people of the 20th century. He led Cuba’s communist revolution, ruled the country for almost 50 years and inspired and assisted left-wing movements regionally and globally. Even after handing over presidency to his brother Raul in 2008, Fidel was still regarded as the most powerful person in Cuba.

Saturday was going to be another interesting but normal day exploring Havana for Rocío and I. Instead, in the morning our hosts informed us Fidel had died aged 90 at 10:29pm the previous night (Friday, 25 November 2016). Our plans changed.

Cuban TV Fidel Death Coverage

Cuban TV Fidel Castro special the day after he died with an email address for people to send in their tributes; the Spanish headline translates as “Ever onward to victory, Fidel!”

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Seeing Plácido Domingo in Havava, Cuba

The Great Theatre in Havana, Cuba

Havana’s grand Great Theatre has amazing architecture

Havana is a special city in which anything can happen.

On Thursday, 24 November 2016, Rocío’s and my first full day in Cuba, we were walking along Paseo del Prado, the border between Old Havana and Centro Havana. Coming to the Great Theatre (Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso), we saw a crowd near the entrance. Just as we get there, modern Mercedes Benz sedans (a rarity in Cuba) arrive and out step opera singer Plácido Domingo and wife Marta Domingo.

Plácido Domingo and his wife exit the car in front of Havana's Great Theatre

Plácido Domingo and wife Marta Domingo get out in front of Havana’s Great Theatre

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