The Provincial Book Fairs in Cuba are an extension of the Havana International Book Fair, bringing the celebration of literature and reading to all provinces of the country and becoming an opportunity to readers and visitors to enjoy the good literature.

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These fairs have been consolidated as significant cultural events that promote access to literature and encourage the habit of reading in various communities, providing the opportunity to bring the literary novelties of the country from “Cabo de San Antonio, until the Punta de Maisí” as a Cuban saying.

Before 1959, book fairs in Cuba were modest events, organized in an elementary way and with limited resources. They were held in places such as the Central Park of Havana and, in practice, consisted of sales of sales and sales of unsold books, both from the few Cuban publishers and from Spanish and Latin American publishers with a presence in the capital.

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With the triumph of the Revolution, culture and education acquired a central role in Cuban society, which led to the transformation and expansion of these events. The book fairs began to be organized in a more structured way and with greater reach, reaching all the provinces and municipalities of the country.

The Havana International Book Fair, held annually in the capital, marks the beginning of literary festivities in Cuba. Once concluded, the fair moves to the different provinces, adapting to the characteristics and needs of each territory. This year’s Havana International fair was held from February 13 to 23, and is now expected to tour the entire Caribbean island, traditionally culminating in Santiago de Cuba on March 23.

Each province organises its own fair with main and sub-headquarters in municipalities and communities. These venues usually include public squares, parks, cultural centres and local bookstores. In addition to the sale and presentation of books, cultural activities such as concerts, workshops, conferences and meetings with authors are held, making the fair a real festival of culture.

Despite the economic and logistical constraints faced by the country due to the tightening of US sanctions, the Provincial Book Fairs remain as events expected and valued by the population, and are a sign of the importance given by the Cuban State to literature and culture in general.

The resilience and creativity of the organizers allow, year after year, to overcome obstacles and continue to promote reading in every corner of Cuba.

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