Participating in the closing ceremony of the event -which began on October 17- was Jorge Luis Broche Lorenzo, member of the Secretariat and head of the Department of Attention to the Social Sector of the Central Committee of the Party; the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic Inés María Chapman Waugh; the Minister of Public Health José Ángel Portal Miranda; ministers and deputy ministers from other nations; directors of the MINSAP; representatives of international organizations and organizations and several of the delegates who participated in the event.

During the report, Dr. Ileana Morales Suárez, director of Science and Innovation of the MINSAP, made reference to the fairs that were part of Cuba-Health 2022: the Health for All Trade Fair, the Third Fair of Scientific Editorials and the First Fair of Medical Tourism and Wellness.

“Cuba-Salud 2022 had more than 3,000 face-to-face participants. Of them, 947 delegates from all Cuban provinces and 452 participants from 64 countries on all continents, who were joined by exhibitors, guests and members of the logistics and scientific insurance commissions”, reported Morales Suárez.

The doctor acknowledged the participation in the event of the leadership of PAHO and the United Nations Population Fund, as well as 44 high-level delegations, which represented ministries and secretariats of health from countries around the world.

The scientific program of Cuba-Health 2022 exceeded 350 face-to-face activities, where various topics were addressed, such as the safety and quality of medical care, confronting emerging and reemerging diseases, the impact of climate change on health, the organization and operation of health systems to make them more efficient and sustainable, antimicrobial resistance, new forms of international cooperation in health, research and innovation, among other issues.

The foregoing is of special importance, if one takes into account that “Cuba-Salud 2022 was celebrated in a complex international context, where the commitment of governments to achieve the goal of health for all faces the multiple challenges posed by epidemics, conflicts and disasters of natural or technological origin”, commented Morales Suárez.

Regarding the contributions of the event, Dr. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Welfare of Jamaica, pointed out that “it has shown us that it is vital to share knowledge, to increase the capacities of the world’s health systems.” In addition, he referred that these conferences have been an example of what can be done in the face of global needs.

For his part, Dr. Armindo Daniel Tiago, Minister of Health of Mozambique, recognized Cuba’s collaboration with countries around the world and congratulated the government of the largest of the Antilles for the level of organization of the event and its scientific quality. “Cuba-Salud 2022 exceeded our expectations and will contribute to strengthening our health systems and our friendly relations,” he said.

Closure of Cuba-Health 2022. Photo: Cubadebate.

The central words of the closing were given by Tania Margarita Cruz Hernández, first deputy minister of the MINSAP, who appreciated the debates held at the event on economic, legal and regulatory issues related to health; as well as the exchanges that positioned the quality of life as a fundamental determinant of social development.

“In Cuba, despite the intensification of the blockade, the media war and the impact of the epidemiological situation caused by covid-19, the activities of the health system have not stopped and the altruistic, human and ethical behavior that characterizes Cuba has prevailed. to our professionals, for which we have maintained a service based on justice, equity and professionalism, whose premise is the development of primary health care”, reflected the deputy minister and explained that the development of promotion, prevention, medical care and rehabilitation.

He also made reference to the medical missions in other countries, which continue to be a fundamental pillar of the Cuban health system, in correspondence with the principles of solidarity of the largest of the Antilles.

Cruz Hernández thanked the participation in Cuba-Health 2022 of prestigious national and international organizations that, together with the Ministry of Public Health, made the development of the convention possible; She expressed her gratitude to the foreign delegations and the attending Cuban professionals and opened the call for the fifth International Convention and the Health Exhibition Fair, which should be held in 2025.

“Let’s continue working so that health is not a privilege, but a right for all. Count on Cuba to achieve this better world that Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz always aspired to,” she concluded.

(By: Lisandra Fariñas Acosta, Yilena Héctor Rodríguez)

The event, which will be held from October 17 to 21 at the Havana Convention Center, will put the challenges of public health at the center of the debate to achieve the goal of universal health in a post-pandemic scenario and the response from the health sector to the devastating ones derived from the health crisis caused by covid-19.

Under the slogan “Universal Health, as part of the 2030 Health Agenda, in a post-Covid-19 context”, the scientific forum brings together more than 2,000 participants from 65 countries, including some twenty ministers, senior sector officials and more than 50 official delegations.

The extensive scientific program will facilitate debate on relevant topics such as the impact of climate change on health, the safety and quality of medical care, emerging and re-emerging diseases, the organization and operation of health systems to be more efficient and sustainable, antimicrobial resistance, new forms of international cooperation in health, research and innovation in health, as well as medical education, among other topics.

Manuel Marrero Cruz, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba and Prime Minister, José Angel Portal Miranda, Minister of Public Health, Carissa Faustina Etienne, director of the Pan American Health Organization, among other specialists in the area were present at the meeting. .

As part of this event, three associated fairs are held: The XV Health for All Trade Fair; the 3rd Scientific Publishing Fair and the 1st Medical Tourism and Wellness Fair, which includes the 2nd Foreign Investment Forum.

In Cuba Salud 2022, an exhibition on the National Health System will also be exhibited, which will represent the areas of medical care, hygiene and teaching, science and innovation and health promotion.

According to Dr. Ileana Morales Suárez, director of Science and Technological Innovation of the Ministry of Public Health, the organization of this Convention conceives the harmonic integration of its scientific, exhibition and commercial activities. For its realization, it had the help of prestigious national and international entities and the official venues are the Convention Center of Havana, the Pabexpo fairgrounds and the University of Medical Sciences of Havana, whose precursor center, the Institute of Basic Sciences and Preclinical Victoria de Girón celebrates its sixtieth anniversary today.

“With this edition, the Cuba Salud conventions are ten years old, a decade of scientific activities aimed at dialogue and reception around global health in a period marked by complex challenges in the international arena. The four editions have focused their attention on relevant issues such as the quality and effectiveness of health systems, health for all and health coverage, universal health for sustainable development, and on this occasion they will speak in particular about health, freedom as part of the twenty thirty health agenda in the post scenario covid.

The meeting provides for a broad scientific program that will promote a debate on the current and future challenges of public health and will also delve into the opportunities gap related to health in public policies. The exchanges will include experts from 64 countries, so it is hoped that a consensus will be reached on the need to consider the improvement of the population’s health as a fundamental determinant of social development.

The scientific program has 310 activities included in 31 events and 1,611 scientific papers were approved.

(By: Lisandra Farinas Acosta)

Also present were Jorge Luis Broche Lorenzo, member of the secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and head of its Department of Attention to the Social Sector; Jorge Luis Perdomo Di-Lella, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba; Dr. José Angel Portal Miranda, Minister of Public Health of Cuba and Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization.

“Cuba is a health tourism destination endorsed by the prestige and achievements of Cuban medicine, the expertise, warmth and sensitivity of its professionals,” said the prime minister.

“The history of Cuban medicine shows achievements in rigorous, advanced and innovative work methodologies, procedures and medical protocols for human health,” said Marrero Cruz in the opening remarks of the fair, which has the presence of 118 companies from from 40 markets, 68 national companies, hotel chains and micro, medium and small companies (MSMEs).

Marrero Cruz highlighted the collaboration between the Ministries of Health and Tourism and stated that this fair is here to stay. “We have to systematize it with all the potential that Cuba represents to offer and market health tourism at an international level,” said the prime minister, who pointed out that in the midst of the complex times that the country is experiencing, the high level is satisfactory. participation in this fair.

He commented that the meeting has an extensive program of activities, where more than 150 meetings and exchanges, conferences, panels, presentations and negotiation rounds stand out.

“All the health potential, built up over more than 60 years of training and professional practice, together with scientific and biopharmaceutical development and that achieved by our tourism industry in the country, is fully articulated to provide the best service based on heal and offer the highest quality of life. Cuban public health and the experience of our professionals and the tourist locations that the country presents make a perfect combination for health tourism, aimed at raising people’s quality of life”, he said.

Marrero Cruz highlighted the importance of holding both events, both the Fair and the Convention, after having successfully overcome the covid-19 pandemic.

“There was not a moment when we did not think of Fidel, because his design of the Cuban public health system was the one that allowed us to face a totally unknown disease. Precisely that experience of the Cuban health system, which begins with primary care, which is where people’s lives are really saved, with the constant and systematic care of family doctors,” he said.

“Today great efforts are being made by the Ministry of Public Health to consolidate this primary health system. All the family doctor’s offices are being repaired, almost 12,000 throughout the country, ”he specified,

Likewise, he explained that the confrontation with covid-19 has been studied, since there are processes and protocols that were incorporated and are here to stay.

“We defend that the Cuban health system will always be public.

(By: Lisandra Fariñas Acosta e Ismael Francisco)

The event, which takes place at the Pabexpo fairgrounds, brings together for the first time the new Cuban economic actors and guests from more than 10 countries.

Naima Alfonso Acosta, Deputy Minister of Transport, told the press when announcing the event that after the inauguration on Tuesday, the participants will discuss trends in sustainable mobility, logistics and the strategic projection of electromobility.

Use of renewable energy, repair and manufacturing, efficiency and new technologies are other topics on which the talks, conferences, presentations and exchanges of experiences will deal, which are the modalities of the program sessions.

In the attempt to encourage the development of the different actors of the Cuban economy, the promotion of direct foreign investment, the attraction of financing for the development of infrastructures and the expansion of supply networks of spare parts and materials are pursued.

According to its organizers, another fundamental moment of the Fair will be the Business Round, a space in which the naval, railway and automotive industries will present their main advances.

Mitrans directors assure that the International Transport and Logistics Fair will be the opportunity to achieve certain goals with a view to better service to the people and the successful performance of the Cuban economy.

At the Pabexpo fairgrounds, the forum receives businessmen from 12 countries, representatives of non-state forms of national management and Cubans residing abroad to promote business opportunities, cooperation projects and investments.

The fair will favor the consolidation of existing projects or those under negotiation in a sector hard hit by the US blockade, in order to provide better transportation to the population.

To this end, production, service and marketing companies from Mexico, Venezuela, Belgium, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Spain, the United States, the Netherlands and Italy, and about 52 exhibitors from Cuba will be present with their offers.

In addition, the portfolio of foreign investment projects in transport and project management for international cooperation in the sector will be presented.

On the other hand, Cubana de Aviación will announce new cargo routes and the Cuban Aviation Corporation will promote its actions to increase operations based on tourism.

The launch of the new higher level career in Transportation Engineering is also planned, as well as a specialized business round to expose the progress of the naval, railway and automotive industries.

All these actions seek to encourage the development of the different actors in the economy, promote foreign direct investment, promote international cooperation and attract financing for the development of infrastructures, and stimulate and diversify exports of goods and services, fundamental objectives of the date.

An associated theoretical event also begins this Tuesday in which experts from different nations will debate topics such as the sustainable mobility of passengers and cargo, the modernization of means of transport and infrastructure, and the use of renewable energies.

The repair and manufacture of spare parts and aggregates, the efficiency of supply chains and logistics in general, and new technologies associated with services will also be part of the program.

(With information from Prensa Latina)

To gauge the progress of the most popular of the country’s cultural events, Juan Rodríguez Cabrera, president of the Cuban Book Institute (ICL), was pleased to talk with Granma International, to put forward his impressions and experiences.

“This year, the Hurricane Irma situation made it difficult to think about the Fair. The country has made an extraordinary effort to guarantee a Fair that has been presenting, both in the Cabaña (in Havana), and the provinces, more than 600 new releases.”

So we can speak of a Fair with a good supply of books?

We have managed to ensure that all the books that were in the Cabaña arrived to the rest of the country, which depends on the Fair organizing committee, the efficiency of the province and its institutions. In recent months, we have been able to appreciate a very interesting response in the provinces. I can tell you that, with the new releases that have come out, as well as previous stocks, and a huge price reduction, there has been an important presence of books in each territory.

Despite the hurricane, and a year in which we had to conclude the production of books in May, we have not been obliged to regret that there are no books to offer the population, even when we know the population wants more new titles, more variety and quality. And we are already working on the battle to ensure the 2019 Fair is better supplied. We have already approved the corresponding 2018 plan. The country has acquired the necessary paper to support not only the production of what remains pending, but also the productive continuity for the next Fair.

What could characterize the 2019 edition?

We are already fighting to ensure new releases reflect a Fair that will be dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Revolution, and Havana’s 500th anniversary. Fifteen books in the 500th Anniversary of Havana collection have already been produced, and there will be a special boost to production to complete the more than 35 books dedicated to commemorate this celebration, which is not only for those of us who live and work in the capital.

How is the organization of the provincial chapters of the Fair advancing?

The provinces choose their moment, seeking not to coincide with other events, and there is planning with a view toward the participation of other bodies, since that the Fair surpasses book and cultural institutions.

The level of organization has been achieved through the quality of the programming, in the ability to hold forum-debates on topics that can strengthen book quality, and this year, much importance has been given to recovering those levels of reading that our people always had. We know there are many things that affect it, but we are not at war with the digital book. We are giving it its space. That’s why in this Fair, in the Cuba Digital space, more than 18 of the country’s institutions put all their resources into ensuring that young people and children could download digital products, interacting, so that they can contribute to their culture and learning. This has also reached the provinces. Not to keep them in centers, but to encourage debate and reading, and continue struggling against all that distorts real culture. Despite all the threats that vulgarity and pseudo-culture favor today, we work so that people don’t lose sight of the main objective of preparing themselves as better human beings and preserving the essences of their culture, which are in these works.

The role of the Territorial Publishing System is invaluable…

Cuba has a wealth of publishing. That Cuba can say it has publishing houses in every province, some with more than one, is a real strength. The Territorial Publishing System (22 publishing houses) has allowed 4,500 authors to publish their books, which they would not have been able to do otherwise; and that 4,500,000 copies have been published, which is a great merit.

The Cuban Book Fair is very special…

I recently participated in a virtual forum by the Regional Center for the Promotion of Books and Literature in Ibero-America, made up of 24 countries. It was revealed that the big fairs of the region do not reach the countryside, the small towns. And this offered us the possibility of stating that, although Cuba doesn’t have a perfect formula, here books travel throughout the country, and that beyond the Havana Fair, all provinces have the right to hold their own.

And once the provinces finish, we are already immersed in the Book Festival in the mountains, where the titles, together with the authors, reach the most remote sites. Then follows the Summer Festival, and behind it, the University Book and Reading Festival.

We are already fighting to ensure there are more new releases next year, more books than people expect. We are struggling to have the books in time, bearing in mind that the arrival of paper to the country has stabilized. We are very clear on what needs to be worked on. Delays are not always due to resources, but to failures on the part of those working on them, and not doing what is required, and we are dissatisfied in this regard.

How can better fairs be achieved in the provinces?

By advising the provinces in time, they can have the budgets prepared for their fairs; they can better manage financial resources. While before there was a single distributor that received the books and then became a spokesperson for the entire publishing system, to sell the books in the provinces, today everything has been reorganized such that each publishing house and its editors, authors and promoters, must work across the entire country, until the books reach the hands of readers. When the UH (University of Havana) publishing house sells its books to Guantánamo, it can’t just be satisfied that the Provincial Center has paid for those books, it needs to interest itself in the cultural activities held in Guantánamo to ensure the texts reach their final destination. One of the best forms of doing this is for the author to accompany the book, or for it to be taken to where it is awaited.

KEY FIGURES

More than 4,000 titles

More than 600 new releases

1,292,000 books were sold during the Fair

2,147,000 visitors to the Fair, 30% more than in 2017

(Granma)

Cuba’s potential as a tourist destination saw the country receive a historic four million visitors in 2017, despite the impact of meteorological events which primarily affected the island’s northern keys.

In light of this and regardless of a swift recovery process, the situation in the Caribbean as perceived from abroad meant that many visitors changed their travel plans or decided to put off visiting Cuba until 2018.

To this must be added measures announced by the current U.S. administration, tightening travel restrictions to the island for its citizens, which has caused a significant drop in arrivals as compared to 2017, (Cuba received 159,563 U.S. visitors in the first four months of the year, as opposed to 95,520 over the same period this year).

Today, although figures are very different from those of last year, the composition of emissary markets to Cuba over the first four months of 2018 is similar to what it was over the same period in 2017.

According to Michel Bernal, marketing director at Cuba’s Ministry of Tourism, speaking to the press, Canada continues to be the top emissary market of tourists to the island, followed by Cubans residing abroad and U.S. citizens, in addition to France, the UK, Italy, Spain and Germany, as well as Russia, up 32%, and Mexico 23%, followed by Argentina.

Meanwhile, Cuba has already received one million visitors thus far this year, a figure which continues to rise following an increase in cruise ship tourists and charter flights.

During the press conference, the Mintur representative noted that the majority of the country’s key ports are fully booked with cruise ships through 2019, while the ministry has also received over 200 more requests for charter flights as compared to 2017, with both modalities serving U.S. clientele.

In this sense, Michel Bernal also mentioned new flights from Mexico and Spain, as well as Cuba’s growing popularity among the Russian market with the arrival of larger aircrafts able to transport more tourists.

This year the country is aiming to reach five million visitors, vital to which will be promotional efforts and the expansion of tourist offers.

As such, Cuba’s annual International Tourism Fair FitCuba, which celebrated its 38th edition this 2018, was held on the newly renovated keys off Villa Clara’s northern coastline, following Hurricane Irma.

A SPACE FOR PROMOTION AND TRADE

The Ensenacho, Brujas and Santa María islets, as well as the cities of Villa Clara, Remedios and Sagua la Grande, were among the many attractions presented during this year’s fair, which also included the island’s wide variety of tourist options.

“FitCuba is the country’s most important tourism event because it combines promotional activities with preparation for the upcoming winter season. It’s a space attended by the major tour operators, air lines, travel and leisure agencies, in the market,” explained Janet Ayala Mintur communications director.

This year, as guest country of honor, the UK sent an official delegation to the fair, which learned about the potential for the development of tourism on the island’s northern keys, a destination of great interest to the British market.
Canada also sent a delegation to the fair which included the country’s main sector directors and tour operators, who met with their Cuban counterparts to review commercial initiatives and continue strengthening collaborative ties.

“This is the perfect space to boost and strengthen relations with tour operators and travel agencies, and to work on a series of strategies with our main emissary markets toward stimulating and promoting Cuba as a tourist destination. Here is where work meetings with our hotel chains take place, and where contracts for the 2018 summer season and 2019 winter period are signed,” stated Michel Bernal, the Ministry of Tourism’s marketing director.

FitCuba 2018 was also where other tourist modalities came to present their offers, such as Servicios Médicos Cubanos, the island’s international healthcare provider, which is gaining recognition and consolidating itself within the field of health tourism. Another highlight of the event was the presentation of the sector’s Portfolio of investment opportunities, with FitCuba 2018 being the ideal space to establish agreements and ventures aimed at supporting the development of tourism on the island.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment (Citma) provided attendees with information on projects underway in Villa Clara and its northern keys, including efforts to recover and restore beaches, an activity which has greatly benefitted Cuba’s coastlines.

An important aspect of tourist development in the country is linked to local providers, who play a key role in the development of tourist offers, contribute to the creation of productive chains and stimulate the national economy. In this sense, the providers fair served as a space for participants to display some of their products, above all those linked to food and hotel supplies.

The providers fair, which also included cultural and recreational activities, was held as part of concerted efforts by Mintur to increase the presence of national industries in the country’s tourist sector, with Cuban entities presenting their latest offers looking toward the summer season.

NEW DESTINATIONS & MODALITIES

A new tourist destination Sagua la Grande, located in the province of Villa Clara, was launched in the international market during the 38th edition of FitCuba. According to Janet Ayala, Mintur director of communications, speaking at a press conference, the city has undergone construction and redevelopment works and now features two new hotels (El Palacio de Arena and Hotel Sagua la Grande), as well as non-hotel options such as the Gran Rey and El Alambique bar-cafeterias. The Cayo Esquivel beach resort was also presented as part of new offers from Villa Clara. Visitors can enjoy an excursion to this site which also boasts nautical facilities.

Cuba as a competitive destination within the region was also a focus of activities during the fair. With a rich cultural heritage and historic traditions, home to over 200 national monuments, 10 World Heritage Sites, and recognized as being one of the safest destinations in the world, the island owes its popularity to its wide range of offers from nature and health tourism, to diving holidays, trekking and cultural activities, among others.

The Ministry of Tourism is currently developing marketing strategies targeting key emissary markets across Europe and implementing policies linked to excursions giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy the country’s varied cultural and patrimonial charms.

With quality products at attractive prices Cuba’s potential as a tourist destination is growing. This year Mintur is looking to revive and promote event tourism, a modality for which Cuba has the necessary conditions and experience. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to increase offers for national tourists, with the aim of seeing this sector place among the country’s top markets.

This 2018 FitCuba, the event which every year, contributes to the development of the island’s tourist industry, sought to stimulate the sector looking toward the upcoming summer and winter season. Exhibiting the very best of Cuba, its quality services, sites, wide range of offers, security and opportunities within the sector, are among efforts being made to reach, for the first time ever, five million visitors this year.

(Granma)

The biannual meeting involves 26 countries, including Spain, Italy and Cuba, as most represented countries and others such as Hungary, Brazil, Panama, Mexico, which will interact with the 124 companies attending the PABEXPO exhibition site until April 6.

The new visions related to construction include the use of energy and protection of the environment, as well as constructive solutions to face extreme weather events and climate change.

Special attention will be focused on the application of current computer techniques and management and project management, and issues related to the rehabilitation and maintenance of the built heritage.

Other contents of interest are linked to traditional materials of traditional construction, new development and recycling; experiences of application of new, advanced and local manufacturing technologies.

FECONS 2018 takes place under the slogan for better performance and sustainability in the construction sector and with Venezuela as a guest of honor.

Parallel to this event is the 12th International Scientific-Technical Construction Conference, which concluded yesterday at the Conference Center in Havana, in which more than 400 professionals from 14 nations participated.

(Prensa Latina)

Located in Cuba’s north-central coastline, it is one of the most attractive proposals of Cuban tourism, understandably in fashion, due to its beauties and infrastructure.

FITCuba will take place there from May 2 thru 6, dedicated to the Sun and Beach modality and to the United Kingdom as guest of honor.

The beauty of Cuban landscapes have the aggregate value of a variety including getting to know gastronomic traditions, for example, life of rural families and of fishermen, getting to know what this country is all about.

Key Santa Maria is at present one of the most outstanding resorts, with many repeating visitors, above all European, confirmed by the fact that in 2012, this place was venue to FITCuba and now repeats to host the main event of this sector in the country.

The natural surroundings, an adequate infrastructure and cuisine that puts the accent on creole recipes, but complying with health values as world standards, characterize this point of the Caribbean nation.

If it is fashion we are speaking of, tourism is also part of it. Places that have much to show, enjoy and promotes coming back as is the case of Key Santa Maria, proposal of a recently justified fame.

This is paradise, with a cared-for environment and a hotel and service structure to surprise the most demanding, with a perfect combination of landscape and commodities, including nautical activities of high standards.

Islets of white sands and crystal-clear waters are characteristics that accompany other surrounding keys such as Ensenachos and Las Brujas.

To get there, the ideal way is through a stone road above the waters, known by Cubans as pedraplen, 48 kilometers long that goes from the town of Caibarien to Santa Maria key in the north central province of Villa Clara.

It is a road highlighted by the Iberoamerican Prize Bridge of Alcantara due to the respect to the environment and its length from the Bay of Buenavista, Natural Reserve of the Biosphere, to the keys.

Enjoyment includes diving, snorkeling, tours in yachts and other excursions, as authorities of the sector offer visitors more than 30 recreational options.

At present, near-by keys, with Santa Maria at the Forefront, the keys have two thousand 113 rooms in five hotels, with an architecture according with the environment.

Especially Key Santa Maria extends four kilometers long and two wide, making it the most important geographic group, with an área 18 square kilometers.

Nearby, Key Las Brujas is 6.7 square kilometers, with 4 kms. Long and 1.9 wide and Key Ensenachos exhibits a virginal nature in form of a horseshoe, with two inevitable beaches: Ensenachos and El Megano.alcanza 6,7 .

(Prensa Latina)

Mercy Correa, director of the Cuban Cultural Goods Fund crafts department, co-sponsoring the event alongside the Asociación Hermanos Saíz, was right when she noted that the new design of the Pabellón Cuba site provides greater visibility, above all in the central hall, where from July 1 through September 18, the 52 different sales stands – which will be changing every month – are located.

The 17th edition of the event was inaugurated with the exposition Fidel, soldado de las ideas, by photo-journalists Liborio Noval and Ismael Francisco; its title taken from the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution’s March 11, 2011 speech, during which he stated: “I am and will continue to be, just as I promised; a solider of ideas for as long as I can think and breathe.”

The exposition, a tribute to Fidel on his 90th birthday, includes 19 photographs tracing practically the entire revolutionary period.

The oldest photo in the collection, taken by Liborio, is from 1960, while the most recent, by Ismael Francisco, is from Fidel’s last public appearance during the Seventh Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba, on April 19, this year.

Liborio Noval (Havana, 1934-2012) was a founder of the newspaper Granma and is considered to be one of Cuba’s best photo-journalists. He received over 30 national and international awards throughout his lifetime, and his photos have been featured in dozens of collective exhibitions.

His photographic works appear in various books such as Instantáneas, published in 1999, which includes 77 images of Fidel taken over 40 years, as well as in Cien imágenes de la Revolución, 15 of which were taken by Liborio.

For his part, Ismael Francisco is one of the most outstanding contemporary Cuban photo-journalists and son of Ismael González also a photo-journalist at Granma. The deserving recipient of various awards, Francisco has worked for Granma, Prensa Latina, La Agencia Cubana de Noticias and currently Cubadebate.

In 2010 the exposition Ismael con Ismael was presented in the Casa de la Prensa. Trained in the rigorous world of press-photography, Ismael Francisco is also renowned for his technical skill, compositions and framing.

On Friday, July 1, it was all about the kids, with the Fair providing numerous offers for little ones, such as the presentation in the Salón de Mayo, of the DVD of the performance of Peter and the wolf by La Colmenita children’s theater company, followed by a rendition of La Cucarachita Martinaby the collective directed by Carlos Alberto Cremata, in the Pabellon’s main hall.

The exposition Fidel, soldado de las ideas, is displayed in the tunnel of the Pabellón Cuba. Of its 19 photos, pictured in the foreground is one taken by Liborio Noval in 1961, Fidel con boina. Photo: José Raúl Concepción/Cubadebate
Despite the fact that there are apparently fewer stands this year (with artisans alternating throughout the three-month fair), the high quality of products continues to be maintained, with offers ranging from footwear, textiles, jewelry, ceramics, and out-door furniture.

Like always, the summer event again has a cultural agenda, with a special program for children featuring clowns, music, and dance.
Music is without a doubt one of the mainstays of the event, with jazz, trova and repentismo concerts by various musicians and performers, including popular figures such as Polito Ibáñez, Ernesto and David Blanco, Interactivo, Telmary and Adrián Berazaín.

Art on La Rampa is one of the city’s most visited events during the summer. The Fair has many merits including its central headquarters in the Pabellón Cuba, crafts, books, reproductions of art works, albums, and a program which in addition to musical events also features visual arts, film showings and talks, which combine to create a superb Cuban cultural Fair, just as organizers have planned.

(Granma)