Cuba looks back-- and forward

Photo caption: Cuban military and civilians parade on the 50th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion along the Plaza de la Revolucion in Havana April 16.

Photo caption: People stand at the corner of a street in Havana October 26, 2010.

The Big Picture reports: Cuba this week concluded two events, one looking back, and one - ostensibly - looking forward.

The 50-year anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion was observed with parades and speeches. Victory in the three-day war against a covert US operation to overthrow Fidel Castro, the then-new leader of revolutionary Cuba, is celebrated every year. But 50 years on, a stagnant economy and calls for political reform from a younger generation were an undercurrent during the first party congress in 14 years.

What real change will come, and when, remains to be seen. Collected here are some archival images, scenes from the congress and political process, and daily life on the island.

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