China is guest of honor at 27th Havana International Book Fair

World Today

China is guest of honor at the most popular annual cultural event in Cuba, the Havana International Book Fair. Chinese writers and publishing houses are strongly represented.

CGTN’s Michael Voss reports.

The 27th Havana International Book Fair has attracted exhibitors and writers from 40 countries, including China. It runs through February 11. More than 200 Chinese writers, artists and representatives from publishing houses are attending. They are offering a wide range of contemporary Chinese literature, translated into Spanish.

“We expect that the activities of China will further strengthen collaboration between both (countries’) editors,” said Zhou Huilin, Chinese vice minister for press and publications, “so they offer the best books to both peoples and contribute to improving the knowledge and acceptance of both cultures.”

Bookshops in Havana have started stocking locally published Chinese books, including the novel “Mobile Phone” by Liu Zhenyun about life in today’s urbanized China. Liu is attending the book fair.

“My book shows the change in people’s lives,” Liu said. “I wanted to show the reality of life and what people are really doing.”

When the book fair closes in Havana, it will travel to every province in Cuba. Last year, it attracted almost 2 million people who bought more than 1 million books.