The Ecuatorian ambassador in Cuba Edgar Ponce Iturriaga thanked the Guest of Honor status held to his country in the 23rd International Book Fair Cuba 2014, to begin on February 13.
Ponce Iturriaga emphasized that his people is living a very special moment politically speaking and his government highly values the invitation , which will be corresponded by President Rafael Correa, who will attend the inauguration of the literary event and will launch his book Ecuador : De Banana Republic a la no Republica.
Undersecretary of Cultural Industries and Enterprises of Ecuador’s Ministry of Culture Daniela Fuentes announced in the ALBA Cultural Center in Havana that the Ecuadorian delegation to the fair will display the cultural and multiethnic diversity of their people, with a representation of the most renowned authors.
She explained that the film, visual arts, theater and music will be also present, with a special emphasis on young artists and Afro – descendants.
Vice president of the Cuban Book Institute Edel Morales said there is a varied artistic program, with presentations from almost all arts expressions and artists. He also said that there will come authors from Spain, Colombia , Chile and Austria, among other nations .
Cultural attaché of the Embassy of Japan, Maki Ashida also thanked the support her nation has received to take part in the literary meeting and reported that on February 22 at six p.m. will begin the program of celebrations for the arrival in Cuba , 400 years ago, of the first Japanese , the samurai Hasekura Rokuemon Tsunenaga .
She stressed that this date is taken as the beginning of the friendship between the two countries, and will be remembered with the presentation of the trio of Japanese traditional music Yutaka Oyama’s Jogaku, made up of Yutaka Oyama- Shamisen -, Takuya Kato – dums, and Yoshimi Tsujimoto – flute.
These artists will perform with David Alvarez and his group Juego de manos and will perform some Latin American songs, she added.
She said that an extensive program of cultural activities will be held throughout 2014 to celebrate another anniversary of the links between the land of the rising sun and the Caribbean archipelago.
Translated by: Daysi Olano
Revised by ESTI.
