Backgrounder - Havana International Book Fair

The Havana International Book Fair is considered Cuba’s premier cultural event at this time of year, with more than 600,000 attendees. The primary business at the fair is selling books directly to Cuban consumers at accessible prices in an outdoor festival atmosphere, which includes literary and cultural presentations. The event began in 1982, and was held every other year until 2000, when it became an annual event. As the guest country of honour this year, Canadian cultural performers will be showcased in a nationally televised opening ceremony.

Cuba provides a gateway to the Latin American and Caribbean cultural market. Publishing houses and writers from around the region and the Hispanosphere will be present.

The 1.39 million Canadian tourists who visit Cuba annually represent 40 percent of the Cuban tourist population. The book fair will take place at a time of the year when Canadians are present in great numbers in Cuba.

Cubans and Canadian and international visitors to the book fair will enjoy a variety of activities that demonstrate Canada's literary excellence and cultural diversity:

• A pavilion will display Canadian authors (more than 30) and publishers (18), as well as cultural programming, including films, documentaries and children’s activities (complete with a visit from preschool literary character Caillou!)
• Canadian speakers will participate in panels at various events promoting Canadian culture. Some of the themes are the digital world and its impact on books, editing and translation, ethics and youth literature, etc.
• A photo exhibit, Images from Canada-Cuba Cooperation over the Years, will highlight the unique way in which Canada and Cuba have engaged in international cooperation projects over the years.
• There will be exposure on national television in Cuba to present Canadian content provided by the National Film Board of Canada.
• Canadian films will be screened in Havana theatres.
• A Canadian Studies seminar will be held on Canadian literature.
• There will be a presentation on Canadians in Havana and Caribbeans in Canada.