The 34th International Book Fair of Cuba concluded its national tour this Sunday in Santiago de Cuba, ending on a high note reflective of the relentless fervor of "revolutionary" propaganda: the presentation of the collection "Selected Works of Raúl Castro"; nine volumes, over 500 documents, and more than 5,000 pages of glorification compiled by Ediciones Celia, as reported by the state-run Canal Caribe.
The closing ceremony took place in the Glass Windows Hall of the Plaza de la Revolución Mayor General Antonio Maceo Grajales, attended by the first secretary of the Party in the province, Beatriz Johnson Urrutia; the governor Manuel Falcón; and Brigadier General Luis Prieto Lazo, head of the Santiago Region, along with military officials, intellectuals, and representatives from mass organizations, that captive audience that the regime meticulously gathers with revolutionary punctuality.
Jorge Luis Aneiros Alonso, director of Historical Affairs of the Presidency of the Republic and national president of the Union of Historians of Cuba —a rather unambiguous duality of positions—, described the collection as "an exceptional testimony to the political, human, and revolutionary journey of the Army General." The preface, in case there was any doubt about the project's nature, was signed by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who has referred to Raúl Castro as his "guide."
At the closing ceremony, the president of the Cuban Book Institute, Juan Rodríguez Cabrera, told Canal Caribe that the event was "the best gift Cuba can give to the commander on his centenary, because he conceived this fair, he was the one who developed it, he was the one who interacted with the writers […] and he always perfected it." Indeed, it was an emotional moment.
The fair kicked off in Havana on August 10 after being suspended in February due to the energy crisis, traveled through the provinces, and concluded in Santiago. According to official figures, 36 countries participated, over 5,000 literary and artistic events were held, more than two million physical copies were distributed, and over 3,700 titles were available in digital format. This edition was dedicated to the centenary of Fidel Castro's birth and featured Russia as the guest of honor.
Meanwhile, in real Cuba —the one that doesn’t appear in the speeches from the Hall of the Stained Glass— the situation is radically different. In August, the National Electric System reported a maximum deficit of 2,411 MW, seven total collapses so far this year, and power cuts of over 80 consecutive hours in some areas. CEPAL projects a contraction of the Cuban GDP of 6.5% for 2026; although other estimates foresee an even greater decline.
It is not the first time that the propaganda machinery glorifies the Castros while the country sinks. In May, for Raúl's 95th birthday, “Revolution, the Most Beautiful Work” was presented. In Sancti Spíritus, the Luminaria publishing house launched the book “The Lantern That Accompanies Us” in digital format — in a Cuba without stable electricity — dedicated to Fidel's visits to that province. The agenda for Fidelist glorification will extend until December 4, the tenth anniversary of his burial in Santa Ifigenia.
The prominent writer and translator Rodolfo Alpízar Castillo was one of the few who publicly refused to participate. His stance was firm: "A cent from the budget spent on the fair is, for me, a cent stolen from the well-being of the people. I will not support it with my presence, even if my gesture changes nothing."
For next year, the regime is already announcing the 35th edition of the International Book Fair. Meanwhile, Cubans will continue looking for candles to read by at night.
Filed under: