The 33rd edition of the International Book Fair of Havana was inaugurated this Thursday in the historical strength of the cabin, in the middle of another of the high deficits in the generation of electricity that the island has lived in recent days.
With South Africa as a guest country of honor and with the presence of more than 400 guests of more than 40 nations, the little discreet inauguration had President Miguel Díaz-Canel among those present.
Juan Rodríguez, president of the Organizing Committee and the Cuban Institute of the Book (ICL), said that the event will take place in the Cuban capital from February 13 to 23 and that began in the midst of “a complex world scenario”.
“Intense days of emotions, encounters, dialogues and free recreation await us in the beautiful landscape of the strength of books and other multiple places,” he said.
Backup to culture
The maximum literary event in the country plans to offer about 2.4 million copies during its realization, less than 3 million of the last edition. The organizers of the event have pointed out that US sanctions as the main obstacle to the fair.
This edition – whose motto is’ a whole country in books’- will honor the poet and essayist Virgilio López Lemus and researcher Francisca López Civeira, both Cubans.
Perform this fair in the midst of the current acute crisis in the country, which is expressed in the collapse of the National Electric System (SEN), expresses, despite the will of the country to “continue supporting its culture,” as Rodriguez argued.
Almost the entire island off
Meanwhile, electric union (UNE) I said Thursday The electric service had been affected during the 24 hours and that the maximum affectation was 1668 MW at 7:50 pm
At that time, today it projects an availability of 1735 MW and a demand of 3100 MW, which would generate a 1365 MW deficit and an estimated affectation of 1435 MW.
This week the highest deficit rate was recorded so far from 2025, and in at least the last two years, with 57 % of the country in the dark, according to the data of the State Electric Union (UNE) data.
On Thursday, the high index of blackout affecting with 56 % was maintained, so the Government decided to suspend work and teaching activity for this Friday and Saturday.
A fair against wind and tide
As is the case in each year, once the habanera stage of the event is finished, on February 23, the fair will pass to the different provinces of the Caribbean country.
Cuba in blackout: energy crisis forces to suspend “non -essential” activities
The guest country of honor is South Africa. And, in that sense, the event will commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the formal establishment of bilateral relations signed by former presidents Nelson Mandela and Fidel Castro.
“South Africa is a nation with which we maintain strong historical ties, consolidated by the friendship and admiration that our two top historical leaders professed,” Rodriguez said.
In its 2024, 2023 and 2022 editions, the biggest book party in Cuba was dedicated to Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, respectively.
With EFE information.
