Havana, Cuba.-The Havana International Book Fair, FIL 2017, the largest literary event in Cuba, opens here today with a record number of foreign participants, with special representation from Canada, as a guest country.
About 46 nations, including Peru, Spain, Mexico, Venezuela, Russia and Ireland, are participating in this 26th edition, the president of the Cuban Book Institute (ICL), Juan Rodriguez Cabrera, said.
More than 30 authors from Canada and 18 publishing houses from that northern nation will be present at the fair, which will be the scene to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation.
The event is dedicated to Cuban intellectual and politician, Armando Hart Davalos. This fair will host several panels and lectures about the work of this teacher, in addition to the publication of eight titles of the same issue.
There also will be a tribute to Fidel Castro (1926-2016). Nearly 24 books by and on the leader of the Cuban Revolution, will be on sale, Rodriguez Cabrera reported.
A colloquium entitled ‘Fidel, politics and culture’, will convene a group of intellectuals on February 10 and 11th at the Nicolas Guillen hall, in the San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress, main venue of the fair.
According to the ICL president, about four million copies will be made available to readers, highlighting the presence of more than 70 Cuban publishing houses and the extensive participation of foreign publishers.
The coordinator of the literary program, writer Jesus David Curbelo, announced that other events will take place parallel to the FIL, already usual by this time.
FIL, which will conclude on February 19 in Havana, will be celebrated in all provinces until late April.