The inauguration yesterday of the 30th Havana International Book Fair, at the San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress, by the president of Cuba’s Book Institute, Juan Rodríguez Cabrera, was a beautiful moment reflecting the love shared by Cuba and México.
The Amalia Hernández Mariach Folkloric Ballet enlivened the Fortress fairgrounds’ Nicolás Guillén Hall for an audience that included, among other cultural authorities and intellectual figures, Party First Secretary and President of the Republic Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez; Esteban Lazo Hernández, Political Bureau member and president of the National Assembly of People's Power; Alpidio Alonso, Minister of Culture; Miguel Díaz Reynoso, Mexican ambassador in Cuba, and Alejandra Frausto Herrero, Secretary of Culture from the guest country of honor, who spoke on behalf of her nation.
"Dear country of readers," Alejandra Frausto began, addressing the Cuban people on behalf of Mexico, "We are united by our aspirations, ideals, hope, dignity and cultural diversity."
She congratulated President Díaz-Canel on his birthday, and conveyed a greeting from President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who she said, will soon be greeting Cubans personally.
"All cultures have a place at this fair," she said, and stressed that there is no culture, race or nation that can be valued above another, noting that the relationship between our peoples has always been frank and open, that we are united by our resistance, love, and respect for culture, recalling the words of President López Obrador who once said that Cuba should be honored for its example of resistance.
For his part, Rodríguez noted that, despite the difficult times, some 300 guests from 35 countries are attending at the event. He referred to the presentation of more than 90 new releases at the Fair, and some thousand ebooks, with more than 4,000 titles and four million copies available, as a commercial sample that will tour the island. He thanked Mexico "for always accompanying us" and welcomed those participating in the Fair which "represents the will of the nation to preserve the cultural work supported by the Revolution. Like never before, Cuba lives in its history and its culture, Cuba is a beating heart in every open book,” he concluded.