Culture Ministry Presents Book of Short Stories by Eduardo Heras in Cuba
Havana, Cuba 3/6/2012
The Ministry of Culture launched the complete stories by Cuban writer Eduardo Heras León at the 21st International Book Fair, Cuba 2012.
Accompanying Minister Lantigua at the table of honor was Abel Prieto, Cuban Minister of Culture, Cuban writers Francisco López Sacha and Eduardo Heras.
The book presentation, held in the Nicolás Guillén Hall of the San Carlos de la Cabaña Fairgrounds, was presided over by Dominican Minister of Culture, José Rafael Lantigua, who introduced the book.
Accompanying Minister Lantigua at the table of honor was Abel Prieto, Cuban Minister of Culture, Cuban writers Francisco López Sacha and Eduardo Heras.
In the opening words, López Sacha gave a short summary of Heras León´s biography, pointing to the intense literary work and training the author has undergone in his own country as well as abroad.
Minister Lantigua said “this book is a show of affection, respect and deep admiration Dominicans have for Heras León, who is one of the greatest writers of the new Cuban short story.”
“For many years now, we and Heras León have been giving workshops and meetings with our novel writers who had the opportunity to perfect and learn techniques in the area of the short story writing from the master himself,” said Lantigua.
Minister Lantigua ended his presentation by announcing the donation of 700 copies of the book to be distributed to the various libraries and universities in Cuba.
Cuban Minister of Culture, Abel Prieto thanked his Dominican counterpart for the generous initiative in that this publication will enable Heras de León’s to reach a wider audience of readers.
Later, Eduardo Heras de León thanked Minister José Rafael Lantigua for the generosity, care and professionalism of the National Publisher of the Dominican Culture Ministry for its printing and publication of his complete book of short stories.
Dominican Participation in the Cuban International Book Fair
The Dominican Republic participated in their own, active pavilion where they displayed and sold the work of many Dominican writers. They also offered a program that included book presentations by various writers. The pavilion was attended by Dominican workshop attendees who participated in exchange programs with Cubans from the Onelio Jorge Cardoso Literary Center.
There were 15 first editions of Max Henríquez Ureña’s complete works presented by the poet León Félix Batista, Director of the National Publisher and the historian, Luis Felipe Céspedes Espinosa, of the University of Havana.
Other books were also launched: “Antes de que pierda la memoria” and “Celebrando la vida,” by Freddy Ginebra; the novel “Mi corazón tiembla en la sombra” and a book of short stories by Ligia Minaya entitled, “El callejón de las flores” and “Mujeres de vida alegre.”
Another book of short stories was introduced, “Papeles de Astarot” by Pedro Antonio Valdez, published by the Art and Literature Publishers of Cuba; “Dominican Legends” by Eleanor Grimaldi and Margarita Luciano de Sang, published by Union Editions of Cuba. These were presented by the Cuban publisher, Olga Martha Pérez.
Grimaldi and Luciano also participated in a panel in Children’s Pavilion on a book titled, “A Caribbean for Everyone” in which other children’s book writers also participated, including those from Puerto Rico, Colombia, United States, Barbados, Curazao and the Dominican Republic.
The 21st International Book Fair of Havana 2012 was held for 11 days under the slogan, “To Read is to Grow.” It was attended by 14 Caribbean nations including the Dominican Republic as the Guest of Honor. There was a huge program that included over 800 literary, professional, academic and artistic activities, among which were 534 book presentations. It was held in the open air El Morro-La Cabaña Fort.
Writers Freddy Ginebra and Pedro Antonio Valdez, at the presentation of the book, “Antes de que pierda la memoria”
José Rafael Lantigua, Dominican Minister of Culture; Abel Prieto, Cuban Minister of Culture and Cuban writers Francisco López Sacha and Eduardo Heras.
View of the Dominican Pavilion
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