South Africa will show up as a guest of honour at the 33rd Havana International Book Fair in Cuba, which is expected to get underway today.
“The Fair is considered the largest cultural festival on the island and the event with the highest attendance in Cuba,” the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture said.
Havana, one of the seven Wonder Cities of the World, will welcome readers, authors, publishers and librarians to the fair that starts on Thursday, 13 February and ends on Sunday, 23 February 2025.
The 33rd Edition of the Havana International Book Fair will be celebrated under the theme: “A whole country in books”.
This will be in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Territorial Publishing System. The Fair is also dedicated to the 130th anniversary of the fall in combat of Cuban national hero José Martí,” the department said.
South Africa’s participation will be under the theme, “Papers of Resistance”, looking at the importance of writing in different forms.
“Paper has always been at the heart of writing and storytelling. From a student writing their first poem in a notebook to a prisoner sharing their story on scraps of paper or a published book that changes how people think, paper is where ideas come to life. Even today, with computers and phones, paper still matters.
“Old letters and documents in archives tell us about our past struggles. Banned books printed in secret gave people hope during hard times. For writers, paper is special. It is where they first put their thoughts down, where they cross out and rewrite until the words are just right. It’s where stories are kept safe, where cultures preserve their memories, and where brave voices live on long after they’re gone,” the department explained.
The department acknowledged the country’s literary landscape as a powerful force in South Africa’s journey from segregation and oppression to democracy and unity.
“Through their influential voices and diverse narratives, South African authors have traced the path towards equality, cultural renaissance and the celebration of diverse identities.
“The medium of paper has been the keeper of our stories, our history, heritage and our dreams for the future. This fascinating window into our literary history should produce compelling discussions, insights and a celebration of who we are as a people and who we are yet to become,” the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie said.
A delegation of fifteen literary practitioners have been supported to represent South Africa at the fair. The list of participants can be found on this link: https://www.dsac.gov.za/sites/default/files/2025-02/SOUTH%20AFRICAN%20AUTHORS%20LIST.pdf
-SAnews.gov.za
