Cuba is this week celebrating the birthday of revolutionary icon Fidel Castro, who will turn 85 this weekend, though it was still unclear whether the guest of honour would appear.

The parties are set to peak late tomorrow into Saturday – Mr Castro’s actual birthday – when a Song Of Loyalty gala will be dedicated to the former leader at the Karl Marx Theatre, Cuba’s largest with a capacity of 5,000.

The festivities began on Tuesday with a concert in Havana featuring a number of Latin American artists from Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, as well as the Cuban duo Buena Fe and Vicente Feliu.

Most of the events are being organised by the Guayasamin Foundation, named for the Ecuadoran painter Oswaldo Guayasamin, who is a close friend of Mr Castro.

“The commander-in-chief has not confirmed his participation in these events with us,” said Pablo Guayasamin, son of the painter and a foundation member.

Other events include ballet performances, and photo and art exhibitions.

“There is significant interest around the entire world in this celebration,” Mr Guayasamin said.

The celebrations coincide with the Havana carnival, during which parades with elaborate floats are scheduled nightly until the weekend.

Mr Castro, who ceded power to his brother Raul in 2006 for health reasons after ruling Cuba for nearly five decades, limits his public appearances and is currently focused on writing books and “reflections” on international issues.