Culture
22:09, 02-Feb-2018
Cuba opens the 2018 international book fair with China as the guest country
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The 27th edition of the Havana International Book Fair kicked off on Thursday with China as the Guest Nation of Honor.
It is the first time the book fair has had China as guest country since the tradition began in 1998. More than 200 Chinese writers, artists and publishing houses will attend the 10-day event, who will seek to promote China's ancient culture in Cuba, as well as its most contemporary authors and texts.
"We expect that the activities of China will further strengthen collaboration between editors of both countries, so they can offer the best books to both peoples and contribute to improving the knowledge and acceptance of both cultures," said Zhou Huilin, vice minister of China's State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT).
A Chinese citizen is seen at the opening of the 27th Havana International Book Fair on Feb. 1, 2018. /VCG Photo
A Chinese citizen is seen at the opening of the 27th Havana International Book Fair on Feb. 1, 2018. /VCG Photo
Outside the bookshops in Havana, booksellers started stocking locally published Chinese books this week, while some Cuban authors' works have been translated and will go on sale in China.
New works here include Chinese novelist Liu Zhenyun's "Mobile Phone", a hugely popular book about life in today's urbanized China.
"My book shows the change in people's lives. I wanted to show the reality of life and what people are really doing," Liu said.
"There’s great expectation in Cuba about seeing a large spectrum of Chinese culture in Cuba, with its books, its culture in general and its artists," said Juan Rodriguez, president of the Cuban Book Institute.
A Chinese exhibitor makes prints of Confucius at the 27th Havana International Book Fair on Feb. 1, 2018. /VCG Photo
A Chinese exhibitor makes prints of Confucius at the 27th Havana International Book Fair on Feb. 1, 2018. /VCG Photo
The book fair also witnessed the unveiling of a Chinese pavilion by Cuba's first vice president Miguel Diaz-Canel in the China zone at the San Carlos de la Cabana Fortress, a Spanish-era construction built at the entrance of Havana's bay.
Apart from books, there will be a range of other cultural activities, including a gala lunar New Year show featuring Chinese opera, music and acrobats.
Founded in 1982, the Havana International Book Fair is one of the most significant events of the Cuban literary movement.
The 2018 edition of the Cuban book fair attracted more than 440 exhibitors and writers from around 40 countries.