Fidel & Religion. Fidel Castro

I forgot to include the two years of the war. The war lasted two years — 25 months to be exact. My father died on October 21, 1956, two months after my 30th birthday. In December 1956 when I came back from Mexico with my small expedition, I was 30. I was 26 when we attacked the Moncada garrison, and I spent my 27th birthday in prison.

      Frei Betto: And your mother; when did she die?

      Fidel Castro: On August 6, 1963, three and a half years after the triumph of the revolution.

FAMILY AND RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND

      I was about to finish your earlier point. Your questions have diverted me from the topic. We were talking about the countryside, where we lived, what the house was like, what my parents were like, and the educational level they had achieved in spite of their very poor background. I have mentioned the house and how it had incorporated Spanish traditions.

      I can’t really remember any signs that my father was a religious person. I could not even say whether he really had any religious faith or not, but I do remember that my mother was very religious, just like my grandmother.

      Frei Betto: How was Christmas celebrated in your house?

      Fidel Castro: In the traditional way. Christmas Eve was a time for celebration. Then came New Year’s Eve, which involved a party that would go on past midnight. I think there was also a religious holiday on the day of Santos Inocentes [Holy Innocents’ Day], which I think was celebrated on December 28. The custom was to play tricks on people, to pull their leg or tell them some tall tale and say, “Fooled you, didn’t I?” That was also part of the Christmas season.

      Frei Betto: In Brazil, that day is April 1.

      Fidel Castro: Well, here it was at the end of the year. Christmas was celebrated as was Easter. However, I still haven’t answered your first question as to whether or not my family was religious.