To the delight of the Cuban family, the Havana International Book Fair, one of the most awaited cultural events in Cuba and which every year is well attended by the population, especially by young people and children, has begun.
By María Josefina Arce
To the delight of the Cuban family, the Havana International Book Fair, one of the most awaited cultural events in Cuba and which every year is well attended by the population, especially by young people and children, has begun.
With Colombia as guest of honor, the literary festival in its 31st edition opens its doors in the Cuban capital at its traditional venue in the historic-military Morro-Cabaña complex.
But as usual, in order to facilitate citizens' access to the latest literary events, the Fair also extends to other venues such as the downtown Cuba Pavilion, Havana's historic center, Casa de las Americas and the Rancho Boyeros fairgrounds.
The fair began in 1982, first held biannually, but in 2000 it became an annual event, an initiative that was very well received by literature lovers. It was in 1998 when it had for the first time a guest of honor, Mexico.
The event has established itself in recent years as one of the most important in Latin America and the Caribbean, attended by exhibitors from all over the world, eager to show what is being done in literary matters in their countries.
In addition to being an ideal space for the exchange between entities and professionals linked to the world of publications.
In a great effort, given the difficult economic conditions of the country, more than four million printed copies of 4,200 titles and 1,000 works in digital format have been guaranteed for this new edition.
Cubans will have the opportunity on this occasion to broaden their knowledge of Colombian literature, which is very close to our country thanks to Nobel Literature Prize winner Gabriel García Márquez, a great friend of the Greater of the Antilles.
Colombia is attending with a delegation made up of writers, publishers and academics from the different regions of its territory to showcase its cultural diversity.
Colombian authorities have expressed their gratitude for the invitation, which, they said, makes it possible to highlight the importance of culture in achieving the total peace promoted by President Gustavo Petro.
The Cuban public will also be able to learn more about the sister nation through other artistic manifestations. They will be able to enjoy the performance of the Enkelé group, made up of women who seek to build a better country through art and the dissemination of folklore. Likewise, Colombian short and feature films will be screened during the Havana meeting.
On the 19th, the fair will close its doors in Havana, but as part of the revolution's policy of bringing culture to all, it will begin its tour throughout the rest of the country.
The Havana International Book Fair occupies a place of preference among Cubans, who flock to the fair in search of new titles of all genres to broaden their literary horizons.
