Havana, Cuba.- More than 30 Canadian writers and 18 publishing houses from that country will participate in the 26th International Book Fair of Havana (FIL), Cuba, the Canadian embassy in this country reported.

Canada will be the honorary guest during the event, planned to be held in this capital from February 9-19, and according to the marketing commissioner of that country to Havana, David Werbiwski, the fair would be the occasion to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Canadian Confederation.

We are proud of celebrating here our identity, cultural and linguistic diversity, said the official during a media conference held at Casa de las Americas, in this capital.

The most outstanding Canadian writer that will travel to Havana to participate in this edition of the fair is Margaret Atwood, the author of more than 40 fiction, poetry and essay books, a teacher an political activist with numerous international awards.

Atwood will present an anthology with 23 Canadian short stories by writers such as Mavis Gallant, Alice Munro, Rudy Weibe, Carol Shields, Graeme Gibson and herself, among other authors.

According to the fair program, the same day, Cuban writer Nancy Morejon will make a comment about a compilation of poems by Atwood at the pavillion devoted to the honorary gust country at the fortress San Carlos de la Cabana, the main venue of Havana’s book fair.