HAVANA – Former Cuban President Fidel Castro has made a rare appearance outside of his home, visiting a school in Havana to mark the birthday of his sister-in-law, a revolutionary heroine who fought alongside him nearly 60 years ago.

State television broadcast images of Castro sitting at a desk and conversing with students and teachers at the school, named after Vilma Espin, who died in 2007 aged 77.

“I’m sure that on a day like today, Vilma would be happy,” said the leader of Cuba’s 1959 revolution.

“Everybody who dies fighting for the revolution leaves their energy on the way, they leave their effort and struggle,” Castro said.

Castro, whose 90th birthday is in August, often meets foreign dignitaries at his home and writes occasional newspaper columns, but is rarely seen in public.

He gave up his presidential position in 2008 after a serious illness and his brother, Raul Castro, was voted in as president.

Espin was married to Raul Castro. She left him a comfortable life to join the brothers fighting in the Cuban mountains against a pro-US regime. She became one of the most powerful women in Cuba’s political leadership.

– with other agencies