HAVANA, Cuba.- More than 200 foreign personalities from 40 countries invited to the 21st International Book Fair of Havana —scheduled to begin in the Cuban capital on February 9— have confirmed their participation in this event that, as in previous years, will also be hosted by cities across the Caribbean nation.

During a press conference in Havana on Thursday, the vice president of the Cuban Book Institute (ICL), Edel Morales, said that 127 exhibitors from 27 countries will attend the event.

The list of personalities invited includes Argentinean Miguel Bonasso, Brazilian Frei Beto, Venezuelan Carmen Bohorquez, Mexican Sergio Pitol, Haitian Suzy Castor, Belgian Francoise Hutart, and Italian Carlo Frabetti.

ICL president Zuleica Romay noted that the Fair this year will be dedicated to Cuban intellectuals Zoila Lapique and Ambrosio Fornet.

She added that the cultural event will pay tribute to the cultures of the people of the Great Caribbean, “conceived as a mosaic of differences united by history,” which includes 14 insular states, Mexico, six Central American nations, and four of South America.