Cuba to dedicate 34th Book Fair to centenary of Fidel Castro's birth

The 34th International Book Fair, to be held from February 12 to 22, 2026, will be dedicated to the centenary of the birth of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro, it was announced at the Stained Glass Hall of the General Antonio Maceo Revolution Square in the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba.

Juan Rodriguez Cabrera, president of the Cuban Book Institute, in closing the 33rd edition of the greatest national literary festival, said that, in view of the everlasting work and the example of the Commander in Chief, the commitment to work to maintain and improve this beautiful achievement of the Revolution is reaffirmed.

He pointed out that on this occasion 2,400,000 physical copies and more than 3,000 in digital format were offered for sale to the population, an expression of the will to continue betting on the integral culture of the citizenship.

According to him, more than 6,300 literary and artistic activities were developed, and more than 1,300 novelties were presented, while more than 400 representatives from 61 countries participated, a record number, a sign of solidarity and trust in Cuba.

He said that the Republic of South Africa, as guest of honor, gave a representative program of its culture, art and knowledge, so their participation will be remembered as a transcendent moment in the relations between the two countries.

The Cubadigital project in its 7th edition, with the participation of several Cuban and foreign entities, represented an advance that strengthens the use of new technologies for the good of culture and the sector, Rodriguez Cabrera added.

The president of the Cuban Book Institute noted the broad program of the event, which was held throughout the country and, in addition to the main dedications, paid tribute to the most outstanding writers and literary events in each region.

He expressed his recognition to those who, led by the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and the Government, overcame the complex circumstances in which the world lives, and especially the Caribbean island due to the restrictions imposed by the economic, commercial and financial blockade of the United States, in order to offer the Cuban family this celebration of the arts, which is reaffirmed every year as the largest cultural event in the country.

The event, which was attended by Beatriz Johnson, first secretary of the PCC in the province; Alpidio Alonso, Minister of Culture; Manuel Falcon, governor, and representatives of political and mass organizations, as well as personalities and professionals in the field, honored essayist Virgilio Lopez Lemus with the Distinguished Visitor distinction, and academic Francisca Lopez Civeira with the Key to the City.

The International Book Fair in the Caribbean nation is conceived as a space for dialogue between literatures from different cultures, constituting a reference in the presentation, exhibition and exchange of the best Cuban, Latin American and universal bibliography.