CUBA’S 2018 BOOK PARTY
HAVANA’S 2018 BOOK FAIR GOES CUBA-WIDE
Over 445,000 persons attended this year’s Havana International Book Fair, which was dedicated to Havana’s historian Eusebio Leal and the People’s Republic of China. This 27th edition of the Havana Book Fair ended on February 11th but will be celebrated in every province of Cuba until it reaches Santiago de Cuba on May 13th, 2018. This is the first year in the Book Fair’s history in which it will be celebrated in each of Cuba’s sixteen provinces.
Approximately 300,000 books were sold during the Havana International Book Fair this year, well over the 52,000 that were sold last year. The fair included exchanges between Cuban and foreign authors, readers, and hundreds of events which were held at dozens of venues all over Havana. Over four-hundred-and-sixty foreign representatives from forty-three countries participated in this year’s Havana Book Fair, along with one-hundred-and-fifty-eight exhibitors, one-hundred-and-seventy-two authors, and sixty-four artists. Hundreds of book and magazine presentations took place, prizes were awarded, book launched toasted, and over two-hundred assorted readings took place.
Besides being dedicated every year to someone who has made a significant contribution to Cuban culture, the Havana Book Fair is also dedicated to a country, and this year’s fair was dedicated to China. Chinese literature, arts, theatre, and music were highlighted during this year’s Havana Book Fair, and many Chinese nationals attended the event.
Cuba Digital made its’ debut at the Book Fair and is the Cuban government’s attempt to promote the use of digital books on the island. The Havana University of Science and Computers, CITMATEL, and Cuba Literaria launched several digital book platforms simultaneously, specifically targeting young Cuban readers. Havana’s International Book Fair is recognized as the premiere event for the marketing and promotion of Cuban and Latin American literature.
The Havana International Book Fair will be far more accessible to the millions of Cubans who live outside of Havana this year, and to all those Americans who are visiting our island neighbor under one of the twelve categories that permit travel to the island.
By Clao York
March 6, 2018