Mexico, October 19 (RHC)-- Cuban Culture Minister Alpidio Alonso denounced the existence of a counterrevolutionary campaign against the Havana Biennial and confirmed that the event will be held, at the request of the island's artists.

"I denounce from here the counterrevolutionary campaign against the Havana Biennial, which buys opinions and pretends to use artists as political operators. We will do it because Cuban creators publicly requested it in frank dialogue."

The minister made the statement at a press conference in Mexico, where he is heading the Cuban delegation to  El Cervantino Festival underway in Guanajuato.

These actions, he added, are part of a counterrevolutionary campaign against the cultural sector, parallel to the US blockade, and he referred to the subversion plans orchestrated by Washington with the purchase of opinions and the pressure on intellectuals and journalists.

Alonso also announced that Mexico will be the guest of honor at the 30th edition of the Havana International Book Fair, scheduled for February 2022.

The Aztec nation has an immense literary tradition, added to the extensive exchange and relations between the two countries for several centuries. Thanks to Mexico's willingness to be part of this event, we will be able to access its past and contemporary heritage,' he acknowledged.

With this invitation, we also respond to the solidarity historically expressed by the Mexican people, intensified in these days of the Cervantino International Festival, based in Guanajuato, and during the visit of President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, last September,' he said.