Cuba Prepares for Havana’s Intl Book Fair in 2012

At least 50 foreign writers have confirmed their attendance to the International Book Fair Havana 2012, to be held from February 9-19 and expected to gather nearly 200 guests from 34 countries.By Pl

Organizers of the fair, to be dedicated to the cultures of the Greater Caribbean and Cuban intellectuals Ambrosio Fornet and Zoila Lapique, announced that they expect the attendance of Cervantes Prize laureates, the most relevant literary prize of the Spanish language.

Several promising young writers included in the selection of “Latin America’s 25 Best Kept Secrets”, of the Fair of Guadalajara, Mexico, are also expected to attend the Havana event, according to Edel Morales, deputy head of International Relations of the Cuban Book Institute (ICL).

He said that more than 100 exhibitors, including 44 foreigners, have already confirmed their presence in the major literary event in Cuba.

Cuban publishing houses will launch 46 titles by Caribbean authors or dealing with the material and spiritual culture of the region, announced Morales.

The Havana Book Fair will include colloquiums on the Caribbean and on legendary Argentine-Cuban guerrilla Ernesto Che Guevara, as well as a meeting of young writers from the subcontinent and its islands.

As it is customary, the fair will later extend nationwide and close doors on March 4 in eastern Santiago de Cuba province. Prizes include the 2012 ALBA Narrativa and national prizes in the categories of Literature, Social Sciences, Design, Edition and History.