Cuban Libraries Support Group

9th Havana International Book Fair - a great success

The CLSG sends congratulations to the very successful 9th Havana International Book Fair , which ended yesterday (15 February 2000). This Book Fair was a testament to the Cuban revolution's investment in books, libraries, education and literacy. The Book Fair, held in the San Carlos de la Cabana, paid tribute to Cuban writer Cintio Vitier. Omar Gonzalez, president of the Cuban Book Institute (ICL), explained that the Cabana offered the Book Fair more than 14 vaults for exhibition areas and other indoor spaces for launches and conferences.

The Cabana, a well preserved 18th century Spanish Fort which overlooks Havana Bay, has particular revolutionary significance. It served as Che Guevaraís Rebel Army command post after the victory of the Cuban Revolution in January 1959. It also became known as a place where Che promoted cultural events among the soldiers stationed there, such as ballet performances, concerts, plays, and poetry readings, as part of pointing the road forward for working people to broaden their culture as they strive to build a new society.

Over 600 companies from 30 countries attended the Book Fair. Europe was well represented and the Fairís guest of honour was Italy, who took over 80 publishing houses. A special edition of Pinocchio was launched at the Fair. Spain was represented by several publishing houses and the Ministry of Culture. Germany took 6000 titles. The UK, France and Austria had six of their writers in attendance. Seven Latin American countries had stands, plus eight from the English-speaking Caribbean and Puerto Rico. Africa was represented by 46 publishing houses from 12 countries. Japan, China and Iran, plus publications from UNESCO, UNICEF and the UN Development Program completed the list of foreign exhibitors.

In addition to the ICLís own publishing houses, demonstrating a recovery this year with more than 300 titles in 1999, Cuba was represented by a further 25 publishing houses. The Fair had an intensive literary programme, including the launch of over 100 books, the presentation of national awards and a colloquium on the works of National Literature Prize winner Cintio Vitier. The professional program, with the participation of publishers, printers, critics and designers convened to discuss the general theme "Books facing the new millenium".

Tens of thousands of people attended the Book Fair, which was a major cultural and political event that received extensive publicity in the media. A noticeable aspect of the book fair was the expansion of books published in Cuba over the past several years, part of the overall economic recovery. In a television interview Carlos Mas Zabala, vice president of the Cuban Book Institute, explained that last year the number of books published was three times the number printed in 1993, during the worst of the economic crisis.

Send Elian Gonzalez Home !

A special pavilion at the Book Fair was devoted to childrenís literature, which is in high demand in Cuba. The launch of this pavilion featured cultural presentations by schoolchildren focussing on the demand in Cuba - which is widely and deeply expressed there - that the US government return Elian Gonzalez to his country and immediate family. This was one of the daily actions that have been organised throughout Cuba over the past weeks as part of the campaign for the boys return. CLSG join the Cuban people in saying SEND ELIAN GONZALEZ HOME !

Books for Cuba Fund

Pathfinder Books launched three new titles at the Book Fair : "Capitalismís World Disorder" by Jack Barnes ; English and Spanish editions of "Che Guevara Talks to Young People" (compiled with the co-operation of Casa Editorial Abril, the publishing house of Cubaís Union of Young Communists) ; and "Making History : interviews with four generals of Cubaís Revolutionary Armed Forces" (along with the Spanish-language edition produced by Editoria Politica, the publishing house of the Communist Party of Cuba).

The great bulk of the Pathfinder titles taken to the Book Fair have been donated to a variety of Cuban cultural institutions. These range from neighbourhood and factory libraries to university collections, where the books will remain permanently available. This involves a substantial expense - more than $6,000 including shipping - made possible by supporters of Pathfinder around the world. CLSG endorses the Books for Cuba Fund and calls on supporters to send your cheque or money order to the "Militant", 410 West St, New York, NY 10014, payable to the "Militant" and earmarked "Books for Cuba" fund.

For more information about the Cuban Libraries Support Group, contact John Pateman at John.Pateman@merton.gov.uk

John Pateman is a member of the Society of Chief Librarians and has visited Cuban libraries in 1993, 1995, 1999 and 2000.

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