The International Book Fair Cuba 2012 will begin on Thursday at the Morro-Cabaña Park, with participation of over 200 prominent figures from 40 countries and dedicated to Caribbean culture. 

Eagerly awaited each year by Cubans, the 21st edition of the fair will open to the rhythm of Caribbean music with a welcome concert by Barbadian singer songwriter Mighty Gabby and the vocal group Desandam, from the eastern Cuban province of Camagüey.

Dedicated to Cuban writers Ambrosio Fornet (National Literature Award in 2009) and Zoila Lapique (National Social Sciences Award in 2002), the event will be held for ten days in 11 other venues in the capital, including Casa de las Americas, the Cultural House of ALBA, the Dulce Maria Loynaz Center and the José Martí Cultural Society.

Among the guests of honor are Mexican writer Sergio Pitol (Cervantes Award in 2005), Brazilian theologian Frei Betto, Argentinean authors Miguel Bonasso and Vicente Battista, and French-Spanish journalist Ignacio Ramonet.

Caribbean intellectuals will be represented by Sir Hilary Beckles (Barbados), Norman Girvan (Jamaica) and Kendel Hippolyte (Saint Lucia).

Other participants include Chiqui Vicioso and Roberto Carlos Gomez (Dominican Republic), Pauline Melville (Guyana), M. Lasana Sekou (Saint Martin), Keith Ellis and Olive Senior (Jamaica), and Humberto García Muñiz (Puerto Rico), among others.