The Bahamas participated in the 21st Annual Book Fair held in Havana, Cuba, exhibiting 70 titles of books and magazines published by Bahamians, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced. It was the first time for The Bahamas in the international event.
The event was held February 9 – 19, 2012, during which The Bahamas’ booth operated by the Embassy of The Bahamas in Cuba also displayed videos from the Ministry of Tourism and ZNS that gave viewers a glimpse of the beauty and culture of the islands.
The Cuba International Book Fair was conceived as a means to engage cultural dialogue amongst all countries. In every edition, there is a country or region honoured for its contribution to universal culture.
The international book fair is regarded as an opportunity for writers, publishers and distributors to reach Cuban readers, who hold high standards and are well prepared to participate in the dialogue the fair seeks to develop. The main focus of this year’s event was to honour Caribbean cultures.
As such, the inaugural event showcased music by a Haitian troupe and a Barbadian Calypso artist, and opening remarks by the Jamaican Minister of Youth. Additionally, several musicians from St. Vincent and the Grenadines performed at various events. Some writers launched their books and a translation of a novel was also presented.
Students and artists from around the Caribbean made up the estimated 400 patrons who visited the exhibit daily, which was covered by journalists from South America and Cuba.
Some of the Bahamian books presented received much interest from the public, namely Bush Medicine by Martha Hanna-Smith and the children’s books by Lenora L. Brown and Natasha Turnquest. The public was particularly impressed by the colours and the quality of the books on display.
His Excellency Vernon Burrows, Bahamas Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba presented several of the books and a Tourism promotional DVD and a ZNS Junkanoo DVD to the Head of Caribbean Studies at the University of Havana. This gesture prompted the institution to request more copies of indigenous music and literature of The Bahamas.
The display at The Bahamas booth also sparked interest by Barbara Chase, an author and representative of the library of the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill, Barbados. Various Cuban and Latin American authors expressed interests in collaborating with Bahamian authors particularly in the areas of poetry, fishing and cooking.
By Lindsay Thompson
BAHAMAS INFORMATION SERVICES
