Signs of the Book Fair are already visible in Sancti Spíritus

Just when hopes had faded—and some had even forgotten about it—it was officially announced that Cuba would hold its International Book Fair this year, despite the many difficulties and urgent challenges. To top it off, the 34th edition will set up shop in the city of Sancti Spíritus starting this Thursday—serving as a prelude—and running through Sunday, as summer draws to a close.

Antonio Hernández Cervera, director of the Provincial Center for Books and Literature in Sancti Spíritus, stated that the event “features a fairly comprehensive program, even though the duration has been shortened compared to previous fairs.”

“We have tried to involve nearly 100% of our institutions located—I repeat—within the municipality of Sancti Spíritus. Naturally, a great deal of effort lies behind this. There is a genuine commitment from the relevant bodies, including the government, the Party, and the provincial culture authorities.”

By bringing together various artistic disciplines, the event aims to create a major cultural occasion and compensate for the limited number of books available. “We have close to 70 titles, including stock from previous years, new releases from Letras Cubanas, and new works produced locally by Editorial Luminaria. We also have educational materials for children and young people.”