Book Fair Concludes with Raúl Castro's Works: Propaganda Never Sleeps

The 34th Havana International Book Fair wrapped up its nationwide tour on Sunday in Santiago de Cuba, concluding with a grand display of relentless "revolutionary" propaganda: the unveiling of the "Selected Works of Raúl Castro" collection. This compilation, published by Ediciones Celia, consists of nine volumes, over 500 documents, and more than 5,000 pages glorifying the former leader, as reported by the state-run Canal Caribe.

The closing ceremony took place at the Salón de los Vitrales in the Plaza de la Revolución Mayor General Antonio Maceo Grajales, attended by Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, the First Secretary of the Party in the province; Governor Manuel Falcón; and Brigadier General Luis Prieto Lazo, head of the Santiago Region. Alongside them were military officials, intellectuals, and representatives from mass organizations—an audience the regime reliably gathers with "revolutionary punctuality."

Jorge Luis Aneiros Alonso, Director of Historical Affairs of the Presidency of the Republic and National President of the Cuban Historians Union—a suspiciously dual role—praised the collection as an "exceptional testimony to the political, human, and revolutionary path of the Army General." The foreword, leaving no doubt about the project's nature, was penned by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who refers to Raúl Castro as his "guide."

During the event, Juan Rodríguez Cabrera, President of the Cuban Book Institute, told Canal Caribe that the fair was "the best gift Cuba could give the commander on his centenary, because he conceived the idea, he developed it, he engaged with the writers [...] and always perfected it." Undoubtedly, a touching sentiment.

Contrasting Realities in Cuba

The fair, which began in Havana on August 10 after being postponed in February due to an energy crisis, traveled through the provinces before concluding in Santiago. Official figures claim participation from 36 countries, with more than 5,000 literary and artistic activities, over two million physical copies distributed, and more than 3,700 titles available digitally. The event was dedicated to the centennial of Fidel Castro's birth, with Russia as the guest of honor.

Meanwhile, the reality in Cuba—absent from the speeches at the Salón de los Vitrales—is starkly different. In August, the National Electric System reported a maximum deficit of 2,411 MW, seven total collapses so far this year, and outages exceeding 80 consecutive hours in some areas. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) projects a 6.5% contraction in the Cuban GDP by 2026, though other estimates predict an even steeper decline.

Persistent Propaganda and Public Dissent

This is not the first time the propaganda machine glorifies the Castro legacy while the country falters. In May, for Raúl's 95th birthday, "Revolution, the Most Beautiful Work" was presented. In Sancti Spíritus, the Luminaria publishing house released "The Candle That Accompanies Us" digitally—in a Cuba lacking stable electricity—dedicated to Fidel's visits to that province. The fidelista glorification agenda will continue until December 4, the tenth anniversary of his burial in Santa Ifigenia.

Renowned writer and translator Rodolfo Alpízar Castillo was among the few who publicly refused to participate. He firmly stated, "Every penny spent on the fair is, to me, a penny stolen from the people's well-being. I won't support it with my presence, even if my gesture changes nothing."

Looking ahead, the regime has already announced the 35th edition of the International Book Fair for next year. Meanwhile, Cubans will continue their search for candles to read by at night.