Cuba’s former President Fidel Castro made a rare public appearance in downtown Havana.  It was the first time many had seen the man who ran Cuba for nearly five decades until ceding power to his brother Raul in 2006 since last April.

Assisted by a doctor, a physical therapist, and a cane, 87-year old Fidel Castro wore a black jacket and green scarf on a chilly night in Havana to attend an art gallery opening.  He walked slowly with a noticeable stoop.

Castro last public appearance was in April 2013, when he attended the opening of a school in Havana.  More recently, pictures of Castro were seen after a private meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last month.

Cuban artist Alexis Leyva, aka Kcho, runs the gallery Castro visited.  Wednesday night also marked the 55th anniversary of Castro’s arrival in the capital city after overthrowing the Batista government.