Havana, March 31 (RHC)-- President Miguel Diaz-Canel congratulated Cuban writers and readers alike on occasion of Cuba's Book Day, which was celebrated with a broad virtual program.
On his official Twitter account, the president noted that Cuba’s Book Day is celebrated every year on March 31st, on occasion of the creation of the first Cuban publishing house, after the triumph of the 1959 Revolution. He recalled that the first book published on the island by the newly created publishing house was Don Quixote, written by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the second most-translated book in the world, after the Bible, and considered by many as one of the greatest novels ever written.
On occasion of Cuba’s Book Day, the National Association of Writers and Artists (UNEAC) tweeted that ever since the triumph of the Revolution, Cuba has granted books a relevant role in the promotion of reading and literature, despite economic limitations.
Also, as part of activities celebrating Cuba’s Book Day, Cuban author Rogelio Riveron was presented with the Julio Cortazar Ibero-American Short Story Award for his work entitled 'Polvo gris sobre los parpados,' and, the Cuban Film Institute (ICAIC) published the books 'Sergio Corrieri, más allá de memorias', written by Luisa Marisy; and 'Cien años de cine en Cuba', by Ambrosio Fornet.
Celebrations on Cuba’s Book Day 2021 were specially dedicated to the 60th anniversary of Fidel Castro's historic speech entitled ‘Words to Intellectuals,’ also to Cuba’s 1961 Literacy Campaign and the 100th birthday anniversary of poet and essayist Cintio Vitier.
