The city's February of letters has once again begun with the inauguration of the 26th International Book Fair of Havana, yesterday, February 9, at the San Carlos de La Cabaña Fortress, with the presence of Armando Hart to whom this edition is dedicated, along with Canada as guest country of honor.

Attending the inauguration ceremony were Party Political Bureau members Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, first vice `resident of the Councils of State and Ministers; Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly of People's Power; and Mercedes López Acea, a Council of State vice president and first secretary of the Party in Havana; as well as Abel Prieto, minister of Culture, among other figures.

Two audiovisuals were screened, one devoted to the thinking of Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro, and the other on the work of Armando Hart Dávalos.

Declaring the event officially open, Cuban Book Institute President Juan Rodríguez Cabrera, also the fair's director, commented that the event is taking place in a very special year for Cuban publishing, noting, "Precisely in 2017, the Cuban Book Institute reaches 50 years since it was founded by Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro."

He emphasized the leadership role Dr. Armando Hart has played, since he became the Revolution's first Minister of Education, and later in 1976 serving as Minister of Culture. With his vast knowledge of the country's national hero José Martí he now directs the Martí Program Office and the José Martí Cultural Society.

Scheduled today, Friday, is a colloquium on Fidel in politics and culture, which includes panel discussions on the formation of his thought; his strategies and actions during the revolutionary struggle; his contributions to building the new society; as well as his commitment to solidarity and internationalism.