Havana - More than 50 books will be launched on Friday in the main cities of Cuba, as part of the Festival of Arts, said today Edel Morales, vice president of the Cuban Institute of the Book (ICL).

The traditional 'Evening of the Books' will be held in Havana across 23rd, one of the main streets in the city, with the participation of some 30 Cuban publishing houses, including Gente Nueva, Verde Olivo, Casa Editora Abril and Letras Cubanas.

During the opening day of the summertime, ten books will be promoted, including 'Andares con Jose Marti', by Migdalia Castañer and 'Desnuda y para siempre', by Carilda Oliver Labra.

Morales said that important birthdays of important figures of the Cuban literature will be celebrated, as National Literature Prize winners Carilda Oliver and Nicolas Guillen, as well as Samuel Feijoo and Virgilio Piñera.

In the festival, running until August 25th, books will be launched and small fairs will be held, as well as talks with authors, readings of poetry and narrative books, concerts and screenings of films.