Havana, November 17 (RHC)—Songs and poems dedicated to Havana, dances showing the city´s cultural heritage, and a spectacular fireworks display paid homage to Cuba´s capital city on a gala for its 500th anniversary.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel,  top authorities, and international guests participated in the celebration held in the staircase in front of the newly renovated National Capitol Building.

The evening was attended by nearly five thousand guests.

Earlier on Saturday, Cuban Communist Party leader, Raul Castro and President Diaz-Canel hosted visiting guests in Havana to attend the celebrations, they included the president of the Russian Senate, Valentina Matvienko, former French president Francois Hollande; Abdulahawab A. Al Bader, Director-General of the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development, and Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, Director General of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Fund for International Development.