Arriving there at close to 1:00 a.m., Fidel told volunteers who had worked on the school, "Nobody here has to congratulate me; I'm the one who should congratulate all of you." The enrollment figure for the new school year is 202 pupils.

"I'm the happiest man in the world for having participated with you in this beautiful and moving event," said the Cuban leader, who was welcomed with a birthday song from the construction workers, teachers, pupils, parents and neighbors who, in just over a month, have renovated the school.

Fidel commented that if he had to start the day with a short speech, he would really prefer to make one at the school, in reference to the highly humane quality of the work carried out in the island's special schools.

Among the students, eight are visually impaired with hearing difficulties, plus another boy who will shortly be entering the school. Fidel pointed out that each one has a specialist in attendance, thus demonstrating that "for us, the well-being and education of children is the most important thing in the world."

"This birthday is a very happy one, maybe the happiest I've ever had," he confessed, referring to the fact that problems dating back to before the special period are now being solved.

"The homeland, the Revolution and socialism have been saved. Today we have the conviction that there is no force in the world capable of destroying our dreams," he affirmed. "If we were sure of that before, then now we are more convinced than ever."