This Sunday, the 34th Book and Literature Fair closed its doors in the city of Ciego de Ávila amid great material limitations compared to previous editions, a smaller number of copies, but still with the firm purpose of promoting reading and the arts among the whole family.

A strong point of this edition was the presentation — though scarce, certainly of proven quality — of the three new titles by Ediciones Ávila: the essay «More on La Edad de Oro», by Avilanian writer Félix Flores and British professor Arun Sood; the compilation of chronicles «Passport of Memories», by Larry Morales Rodríguez; and the novel «Mother of Lime», by Yasmani Rodríguez Alfaro.

This cultural event was dedicated in Avilanian territory to Larry Morales Rodríguez, writer, historian and poet, with an extensive career in the cultural sphere, including his work promoting and encouraging art and literature from his position as president of the Nicolás Guillén Foundation in the territory.

There were several talks and tributes at this event to this illustrious son of the municipality of Morón, author of paradigmatic books such as «The Leader of the Suicide Squad», a testimony on the life of Roberto Rodríguez «el Vaquerito»; «Enrique Varona, the Leader of a Thousand Strikes»; and «The Rooster of Morón».

During one of those gatherings about Morales Rodríguez, his encounters with Celia Sánchez Manduley and Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz were recalled, as well as other lesser-known aspects of his life, such as being a member of the Nueva Trova movement and even completing and setting to music a text by Chilean singer-songwriter Víctor Jara.

For the little ones at home, Editorial Oriente brought and displayed beautiful titles, including compilations of Cuban children’s songs and others such as «Stories for Every Night», by Emilio Bacardí Moreau, in the Ciego del Ánima area, located on the ground floor of the central Doce Plantas building.

This year, the Children’s Pavilion returned to its usual venue at the José Inda Hernández House of Culture, closed in previous years for construction repairs. Although it did not maintain the sale of high-demand titles as in the past, it did host a variety of artistic performances for the enjoyment of all ages.

The Russian Federation, as the guest of honour country, was also present at this Avilanian fair with spaces and panels dedicated to it, while the Martí and history areas maintained a decent and interesting programme, as we have come to expect in the province.

Thus concludes a meeting with books and literature in Ciego de Ávila, very limited in resources, but with the motivation of a reading public eager for fresh new directions in Cuban editorial production for future fairs, and to regain what it always was: a true book festival for everyone.