Havana is back in book Fair. The 31st edition of the largest literary and cultural event on the island has been a reality since February 9 in the Cuban capital, where it will remain until the 19th.
The fairwhich exalts Colombia as the guest country of honor, once again has the La Cabaña fortress and Havana’s historic center as its main venues, as well as another dozen sub-venues spread throughout the city, each one with an intense program of presentations, panels and other activities.
After two editions affected by the pandemic, the event returned to its traditional date in 2023. This time, dedicated to the writers Araceli García Carranza and Julio Travieso Serrano, as well as the centenarians of Fine Garcia-Marruz (1923-2022) and Antonio Núñez Jiménez (1923-1998).
For writers, editors, critics, promoters and other professionals in the literary and publishing universe, it is a unique moment to show their work and share with colleagues from all over the world. The event brings together more than 300 guests and 120 exhibitors from some 50 countries, while selling some 4.2 million printed copies and more than a thousand works in digital format.
But for readers and Cubans in general, the fair is an opportunity to buy the books of your choice, to access works and editions that are more elusive in the rest of the year and, also, to spend a different day, share with the family and friends and have a moment of distraction, apart from daily routines and difficulties.
Despite the deficiencies that strain day-to-day life, the transportation problems and the sustained crisis that shrinks pockets and multiplies inflation, many continue to visit the fair, be it in La Cabaña, in Old Havana, or in its other venues. .
The high prices, as in previous editions, are again the center of complaints and dissatisfaction. Especially those of books, educational games and other items for children and young people produced outside of Cuba and marketed by foreign companies.
Faced with this situation, not a few look and continue on, and others bet on cheaper offers from the Cuban publishing industry. This was confirmed this Saturday by our correspondent Otmaro Rodríguez, who visited several of the spaces that host the Book Fair and proposes a photographic tour of the literary event.
