Chronicle of a Passionate City About Its Books

There are cities that read, and there are cities that pulse with literature. Holguin, during these days, was the latter: a hive of open pages, a constant murmur of readers devouring corners, parks, and galleries. From September 4th to 6th, the 34th International Book Fair was not just an event on the calendar. But a collective embrace of books. A celebration where history, fantasy, poetry, and popular warmth demonstrate why this province breathes culture with an almost sacred devotion.

Passion took hold of the streets from the very opening on Friday the 4th. With the multicultural spirit brought by the Russian Federation as guest of honor, the opening gala ignited the spark. The storytelling collective Words to the Wind, the warmth of Edelis Loyola, and the nobility of the Rodrigo Prats Lyric Theater. They offered the first notes of an event that would leave no room for boredom.

On Saturday 5th, the city was a hive of ideas. Anyone strolling past the Ediciones La Luz headquarters would stumble upon writer Erick Mota leading his workshop, “Introduction to Fantasy and Science Fiction from Latin America and the Caribbean.” There, amidst discussions about alternative worlds and science fiction as a tool of anticolonial resistance. The pulse of young and provocative thought was palpable.

Meanwhile, at the The Third Hour event, the Ediciones Holguin publishing house celebrated four decades of existence. By gifting the public with true gems: “The Berne File” by Rubén Hechavarría, “The crimes of the poetic profession” by Ronel González. “The Fish on the Hook” by Rafael Inza, the lyrical perspective of “Thorns and stubble” (José Kozer and Soleida Ríos), and “The Book of Revelations” by Luis Manuel Pérez Boitel.

Historical memory resonated with a powerful, almost primal energy. With an eye on the centennial of Fidel Castro’s birth, the Camilo Cienfuegos Military School hosted the biography written by Katiuska Blanco. While the Revolution Room at the La Periquera Provincial Museum opened the exhibition “Fidel and the Intellectuals.” With Juan Rodríguez Cabrera, president of the Cuban Book Institute, in attendance. Simultaneously, the digital volume “Meetings and Memories” by Oscar Larralde added an emotional dimension to the commemorations.

But the Holguin Book Fair doesn’t stay confined to the formal halls; it spills out into the neighborhood. Children filled the Children’s Pavilion with laughter. Thanks to the Little Artists, My Ground Music, and Crystal Voices projects. Environmental discussions took place in the Science Pavilion with the panel “Fidelista Vision and Environmental Management.” While the Conciencia Publishing House forged academic bridges with Russian culture. And in the Culture and Tourism area, amidst the Formatur graduation ceremony. Devotion and art came together to discuss the image of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre in our literature.

By Sunday 6th, the enthusiasm hadn’t waned; it had reached its peak. The La Periquera Provincial Museum ventured into the Social Sciences Pavilion. With museologist Marlene Martínez Pupo, who presented “The Representation of the United States in the Plattist Republic.” An essential work by historian Francisca López Civeira (Social Sciences Publishing House, 2023). That invited a re-evaluation of the light and shadow of our national identity.

Holds-on emotion erupted when local authorities awarded the Holguin Axe—the highest distinction of the province—to the beloved writer and journalist Rubén Rodríguez. Also to whom this edition was dedicated and whose work embodies the passion of an entire region. Matanzas also celebrated in grand style: Efrahim Pérez, director of its Provincial Book Center, received the diploma from the Territorial Publishing System (SET). For the 2026 Best Book Edition Award, won by Maylan Álvarez and Alfredo Zaldívar (Matanzas Publishing House).

Amidst the aroma of the book “Cuban Cartography of Flavor” (Artechef Publishing House) wafting from the Science Pavilion, the heartwarming book donations in the Pediatric Hospital’s Oncology Ward. Also the poignant tribute to Marilyn Bobes, the festival drew to a close.

In front of the Suñol Theater Cultural Complex, the closing gala lowered its curtain. The pages of the 34th edition were closed, but the unmistakable scent of printed paper lingered in Holguin’s parks. Along with the certainty that when this city opens a book, the world pauses to listen.

By: Daimy Peña Guillén