With the inauguration of the Tomasito (Tomás Fernández Robaina) bookshop, we pay tribute to the life and work of this man who dedicated his life to the defence of our African roots and the social history of black people in Cuba.

In its commitment to culture and the promotion of Cuban and universal literature, this Monday, the José Martí National Library of Cuba dressed up to pay tribute to one of the greatest bibliographers and researchers in the cultural field, Tomás Fernández Robaina, by inaugurating on its premises the bookshop that bears his name.

This project, which has been a cherished dream for some time, seeks to become an effective channel for the dissemination of publications, both physical and virtual, including magazines, newsletters and books, said Omar Valiño, director of the library.

During the inaugural event, the director emphasised that the Ediciones Bachiller team has worked hard to prepare a welcoming and attractive environment for visitors, in the midst of an International Book Fair that shines in all its glory, despite the complex circumstances in which it is taking place.

This bookshop, which will be an enriched space for lovers of literature, will also encourage interest among the new generations in the great figure that was Tomasito: a passionate defender of social justice and a tireless cultural promoter.

Throughout his 83 years, his voice resounded with the firm purpose of sharing his nation’s cultural legacy and stimulating the spiritual growth of new generations. His legacy extends through fundamental works such as El negro en Cuba: 1902-1985 and Hablen paleros y santeros, which address, with depth and rigour, Afro-Cuban identity and the racial debate on the island.