The Las Tunas Book and Literature Fair has just come to a close—an event that, though small compared to previous editions, did not lose its essence.

Las Tunas, Cuba.-It’s true, there weren’t many titles, no foreign authors attended, and Maceo Park didn’t display the splendor of other years, but at least it refused to die, and that, too, is valid. “Despite everything, I’m happy, because this is the writer’s celebration,” I heard Eduardo Rosell, one of our outstanding young writers, say.

We know there are many challenges. Organizing an event of this magnitude amid the adverse circumstances the country is facing amounts to an odyssey. We’re talking about resources, food, lodging… in short, logistics. And, of course, a determination that must do more than overcome adversity.

But anyway, setting aside the shortages and hardships that circumstances impose on us, let’s review some of the positive —and not just pleasant, but necessary— aspects that marked the recently concluded Book and Literature Fair in Las Tunas.

For one thing, the event upheld its fundamental principles, and it did so not merely for the sake of going through the motions, but with proven dignity. We had *Flores del alma*, the work recognized as the first book published in Las Tunas, authored by Manuel Nápoles Fajardo, a native of Sanlope. Poets, storytellers, singers, musicians, and other local artists even came to the Provincial Committee of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC in Spanish) to share much of the creative talent they possess.

There was also a tribute to two indispensable figures in our literary world: Adalberto Hechavarría Alonso (Majibacoa) and Jorge Luis Peña Reyes (Puerto Padre), to whom the event was dedicated. Book presentations were also featured, such as La guagua de Babel, with which our fellow townsman Carlos Esquivel Guerra won the Nicolás Guillén Prize for poetry.

We had Tesoro de Papel for the children, featuring performances by dedicated and talented artists such as Elizabeth Borrero and Luis Andrés Till, as well as writers who cultivate children’s literature in the style of Yuslenis Molina.

And Pensamiento Literario —the theoretical jewel of this festival— featured explorations of varied and interesting topics such as Russian literature, women’s contributions to writing, and a tribute to the encouragement Fidel provided to the literary movement in the country.

Other institutions hosted events, such as the Hermanos Saíz Association (AHS in Spanish), the José Martí Plaza, the Nicolás Guillén Foundation (FNG in Spanish), and the Union of Historians of Cuba (UNHIC)... Likewise, several promotional publications were on display, such as El Guijarro, from the El Cucalambé literary workshop; Edición de Autor, from the Cultura y Tuneridad project; Editorial Caminos, from the Network of Popular Educators; and the leaflet Solo de Poesía, created under the guidance of the intellectual Carlos Tamayo.

The young people, for their part, showcased the talent that sets them apart, highlighting promising literary voices such as Esteban Daniel García (Edan Galo), who, at just 16 years old, began writing his book *Necrófagos*, which won the 2023 Décima Joven Award.

It lasted only two days; we were inevitably left wanting more. Maceo Park could not serve as the main venue this time; instead, the event was held solely on Custodio Orive Street, adjacent to the park. There were few booths, and unlike in previous editions, we did not see various organizations with their display shelves; however, we must highlight the participation of the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME in Spanish) TecSoluciones, which offered useful educational materials, in addition to the invitations provided by the Sanlope publishing house. Our local publisher, in fact, showcased around 30 titles in both digital and print formats. However, we must also acknowledge that it pains us to see the still-limited presence of non-artists among the audience.

We know there was much missing. But we had a Book and Literature Fair when, to be honest, we weren’t even expecting it… And there were our authors, who —just because they’re local— are no less valuable; on the contrary, most have won multiple awards at prestigious competitions. We also featured notable books at the sales booths, such as The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov and other similar titles from the People’s Library, as well as Ingrávida estructura, a compilation by Besú Guevara that brings together several renowned decima poets.

Thus, behind this modest and even timid gathering, hearts beat with a determination not to give up on what truly matters: the magic of a book and eternal gratitude to our literary inspirations.