International Book Fair wraps up in Havana

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 20 (ACN) The 26th International Book Fair of Havana, Cuba 2017, wrapped up its initial state in the Cuban capital with figures that show the acceptance it received this year.

Over 415 thousand people, both Cuban and foreigners, visited the venue of the largest Cuban cultural event, the San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress, right on top on Havana bay, where they bought some 300 thousand books.
During the 10 days the event lasted, book sales topped 3 million Cuban pesos, according to Juan Rodríguez Cabrera, president of the Organizing Committee.
At the closing ceremony, with the presence of Cuba´s Minister of Culture, Abel Prieto, Rodriguez explained that over a thousand conferences, panels, poetry readings and other cultural activities took place at La Cabaña and other smaller venues scattered through Havana City.
Canada, the guest country this year, won the Grand Prize to the Best Stand in the Fair, thanks to the great sample of its culture displayed in several artistic manifestations, like literature, music and movies.
The Fair had special events related to Commander in Chief Fidel Castro, with over 20 books on his life and work, as well as several activities to homage Cuban intellectual Armando Hart Dávalos.
Now the fair will travel to 15 other Cuban cities to end in Santiago de Cuba next April 16