The inauguration was a celebration of cultural diversity between Cuba and Colombia. Author: Mikel Espinosa Rodriguez

The opening of the 31st took place as a great clash of cultures nurtured by letters. Havana International Book Fair 2023 with the participation of Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, and Francia Marquez Mina, Vice President of Colombia, guest of honor of the country at an important event.

Francia Marquez Mina, Vice President of Colombia.

“The histories of Colombia and Cuba have been linked for centuries, since the horrors of colonization. Both countries display a tradition of libertarian flight that is expressed in our culture and in our art. We celebrate this meeting with letters. May they revive our Caribbean and African roots,” Marques Mina assured in the words of welcome.

Juan Rodríguez Cabrera, President of the Cuban Book Institute, mentioned Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz as he opened the great book festival that will last until February 19 and which this year was attended by more than 300 guests from 52 countries, surpassing the participation record of 2019 when 48 countries were represented .

Colombia arrives at the Fair with a large delegation of artists and writers from different areas who will engage in dialogue with the creators and viewers of the Greater Antilles. The event is dedicated to the 2021 National Literary Prize winner Julio Travieso Serrano and the bibliographer, 2003 National Prize for Cultural Studies winner Araceli García Carranza.

The inauguration was a celebration of cultural diversity between Cuba and Colombia. Photo: Maykel Espinosa Rodriguez

In addition, it pays tribute to the centenary of the poet Fina Garcia Marrus and the explorer Antonio Nunez Jiménez. The event returns to its regular headquarters in Morro Cabaña and for the second year in a row to the Historic Center of Havana, among other sub-centres throughout the capital, with over 300 editorial highlights among over 4,000 titles.

The action was also attended by members of the Politburo Esteban Lazo Hernandez, chairman of the National Assembly of People’s Power and the Council of State; Manuel Marrero Cruz, Prime Minister; and Salvador Valdes Mesa, Vice President of the Republic. In addition, other guests included Alpidio Alonso Grau and Patricia Ariza, Ministers of Culture of Cuba and Colombia, respectively.

Source: Juventud Rebelde