HAVANA, Cuba. – The international stage of the Cuban Book Fair culminated in San Carlos de La Cabaña Fortress, and it prepares to undertake the itinerary throughout the country with its valuable cultural load until its closure in Santiago de Cuba next May.

Juan Rodriguez, president of the organizing committee, announced the Cuban publishers sold 353 thousand copies, and visitors 445 thousand, figures higher than those of the last edition.

He said that the presence of the People’s Republic of China as a guest country of honor exceeded all expectations, and praised the repercussions of the homage to Eusebio Leal, Historian of Havana.

The President of the Cuban Institute of Book highlighted the welcome to the Cuba Digital project, which allowed the free download of thousands of books, music and audiovisuals and marked the launch of the event in the use of new technologies.

Fair in Figures and Facts

During the first stage of the twenty-seventh Book Fair of Cuba, two thousand 600 literary and artistic actions were carried out and a hundred lectures, as well as concerts, exhibitions and staging.

Juan Rodriguez, chairman of the organizing committee, acknowledged that a more varied and balanced range of books should be offered, in which novelties are combined with reprints and reissues the public expects.

Chen Xi, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, thanked the fact his country has been a guest of honor in the Book Fair, and extolled the success and joy that characterize the Cuban event.

Among the exhibitors, Bologna Editions and Aurelia International S.A., from Panama, shared the Grand Prix of the International Book Fair in La Cabaña, for the creativity in the functional design of their stands.

Suggestions for Upcoming Havana Book Fair

Regular participants to the Havana Book Fair expressed to Radio Reloj their opinions and suggestions that, as they refer, can contribute to the renovation of some organizational aspects of this great feast of reading.

Mauricio Casamayor, a junior high school teacher, says they can organize a contest of skills and knowledge on literature in some spaces of the Fair, to motivate children and young people in the habit of reading.

Idelina Roca, a pediatric nurse, told Radio Reloj that it is necessary to locate drinking water tanks, since it is very difficult to acquire it in the gastronomic establishments.

Manuel Estrada, a computer technician, points out that in the large entrance esplanade in La Cabaña, raffles and competitions can be organize, and intellectual activities for children and young people to stimulate reading.