Fidel Castro, Cuba's 83-year-old revolutionary leader, made his public appearance outside Havana on Saturday to start celebrations of the 57th anniversary of the Cuban revolution, Cuba's media reported on Sunday.

Castro who wore a green military shirt took part in a ceremony in Artemisa to pay homage to young rebels who died in the July 26, 1953 attack on the Moncada military garrison in the eastern city of Santiago.

The operation led by Castro failed but Cubans view it as the beginning of the revolution that ousted dictator Fulgencio Batista and put Castro into power in 1959.

Castro has been seen rarely in public since he underwent intestinal surgery in 2006 and ceded power to his younger brother, Raul, who officially became president in February 2008.

Fidel also released a CD of a collection of his articles from the CubaDebate website. Castro's column reflects his thoughts on global political events and is usually full of praise for his allies, but critical of U.S. leaders.