HAVANA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Cuban government on Thursday celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Socialist Revolution triumph in the country.

Cuba's President Raul Castro addresses the audience during the 50th anniversary of the Cuban revolution in Santiago de Cuba January 1, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    A 21-gun salute was observed in San Carlos de la Cabana fort in the east of Havana Bay to kick off the celebrations.

People watch the fireworks during a New Year celebration in Havana January 1, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The main festivity, presided by Cuban leader Raul Castro, was held in Santiago de Cuba Square where former leader Fidel Castro 50 years ago declared the triumph of the Revolution. Some 3,000 people attended the event.

    It opened with the words of Fidel after occupying Santiago de Cuba "Finally we have arrived in Santiago!", the Granma newspaper said.

    TV and other local media on Thursday broadcast the first speech given by Fidel, now 82 years old, after victory of the insurgent forces against Fulgencio Bastista's dictatorship.

    "The (Socialist) Revolution begins now, the Revolution will not be an easy task, the Revolution will be a hard work and full of dangers," Fidel said.

    He congratulated the Cuban People for the 50th anniversary of the Socialist Revolution victory.

Cuba's President Raul Castro (R) and Vice President Juan Almeida Bosque attend the 50th anniversary of the Cuban revolution in Santiago de Cuba January 1, 2009.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    "I congratulate our heroic people," he said in a message published by the local media.

    Chinese President Hu Jintao also congratulated Cuba and vowed to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

    The victory of the Cuban revolution had helped the country realize national independence and set it on the path toward socialism, Hu said.

    Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also sent a congratulatory message saying that "the Cuban Revolution, the work of all his (Fidel) life, opened a path to the freedom of the Cuban People."

    The Revolution was led by Fidel and legendary Argentine Ernesto "Che" Guevara. On Jan. 1, 1959, Fidel proclaimed the triumph of the Socialist forces over Batistas' dictatorship.

    In July 2006, Fidel temporarily handed power to then defense minister Raul Castro, due to health problems. On Feb. 24, 2008, he officially resigned and passed the presidency to Raul.

Cuba's President Raul Castro attends the 50th anniversary of the Cuban revolution in Santiago de Cuba January 1, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

Chinese president, premier congratulate Cuban leaders on 50th anniversary of revolution 

    BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday sent warm congratulations and good wishes to the Communist Party of Cuba, and the Cuban government and people on behalf of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and the Chinese government and people on the 50th anniversary of Cuba's revolution.

    In his congratulatory message to Fidel Castro, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, Hu said that the victory of the Cuban revolution had helped the country realize national independence and set it on the path toward socialism.

Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua congratulate Cuba on 50th anniversary of revolution

    MEXICO CITY, Jan 1 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua on Thursday congratulated Cuba on the 50th anniversary of its socialist revolution.

    The Cuban Revolution was the "mother" of all Latin American freedom movements and the vanguard of people's pursuit for dignity in the continent, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said in Caracas.