“Rimbaud’s Photograph,” by Raúl Leyva, one of the poetry titles presented at the 34th Havana International Book Fair. Photo: Courtesy of Ediciones La Luz

Ediciones La Luz Comments on New Literary Works Presented at FILH 2026

Luis Yuseff Reyes, director of Ediciones La Luz, a publishing house integrated into the Territorial Publishing System and belonging to the Hermanos Saíz Association (AHS) in the province of Holguin. He spoke in an interview with the Granma newspaper about the 17 new literary works, in various formats. Recently presented at the 34th Havana International Book Fair (FILH), which is now expanding its reach throughout the country.

“Our entire catalog is available in print, an exceptional feat in Cuba in 2026. Even if in smaller print runs that don’t truly meet the demand of the reading public.” This effort involves the AHS (Hermanos Saíz Association), but also our entire creative team—writers, editors, designers—and the Lugones Printing Press. Which works under extreme conditions to ensure we have the books ready on time,” commented the poet.

The publishing house, he said, is trying to diversify book formats so that readers will consider ebooks and audiobooks as another option. “It’s about positioning their different variations in the publishing market, not seeing them as a solution to an economic crisis and a paper shortage. It’s about letting the reader choose how they want to read.”

Among its main initiatives are the Celestino Short Story Prize, a competition with 27 years of history that marks “a state of literary maturity,” and the New Voices of Poetry Contest.

The Granma publication notes that its catalog has published established writers. Such as Delfín Prats, María Elena Llana, Miguel Barnet, Lina de Feria, and many others. But its primary mission is to promote young Cuban literature. To this end, the “Abrirse las constelaciones” (Opening the Constellations) collection was created for authors up to 35 years old.

“We also bring to our catalog references to world literature through the Biblioteca del Pueblo (People’s Library) collection of the Cuban Book Institute. As we did in 2025 with the poetry of Walt Whitman,” explained Luis Yuseff. Meanwhile, the works of three important Latin American poets are currently being edited for the second edition of this Library, which will be announced soon.

After more than two decades at the helm of Ediciones La Luz, its director views it as a multifunctional space. Given the diversity of events held in its presentation rooms. Which include an art gallery and the Celestino bookstore, and for hosting the Romerías de Mayo (May Pilgrimages) in its Palabras Compartidas (Shared Words) space, which brings together young Cuban writers.

“I like to see it that way,” he told Granma, “as a magnificent host that welcomes children, young people, and adults alike.”

Ediciones La Luz received two important awards at the 34th Havana International Book Fair.

The awards presented were: La Puerta de Papel (The Paper Door), for the titles “El brillo de la superficie” (The Brilliance of the Surface), by Delfín Prats, a mentor to young people. And “El libro discontinuo” (The Discontinuous Book), by Lourdes González Herrero.

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