HCA NEWS Celebration of HCA's bicentenary in Cuba

The celebration of Hans Christian Andersen's bicentenary was officially launched in Cuba in occasion of the XIV International Havana Book Fair which was launched on February 3 2005.

By tkr - H.C. Andersen 2005 - 18 February 2005

The XIV International Havana Book Fair is the largest editorial and cultural event in Cuba and has called the attention of hundreds of editors and writers from 30 countries worldwide. The Book Fair takes place in the old Spanish fortress of San Carlos de la Cabaña in Havana between February 3 and 13. After this date the Fair will be travelling through 34 Cuban cities until the end of March.

"The centre of the tribute to Hans Christian Andersen will be the children's pavilion called "The Paper Treasury". The seventh edition of a book with 13 selected Hans Christian Andersen fairytales is presented in connection to this pavilion. The book is called "The Little Matchstick Girl", and it is illustrated by Cuban painter Raúl Martínez.

The Fair also presents a theatrical performance for children called "The Cuban Tales of Andersen" in a world premier by the Cuban troupe La Colmenita. The troupe has gained world fame due to its presentations and awards in international festivals and events, and has toured in many countries of the world.

The highly awarded Danish poet Marianne Larsen will be participating at the fair. She will be presenting the best Danish writers, poets, actors, editors and people related to culture, who have been invited to take part in these and other diverse cultural events scheduled for this year in Cuba.

The prelude of the celebrations took place in January in Havana's kindergarten called H.C. Andersen. The prelude was a humanitarian, educational and cultural performance arranged by teachers and students from Herning in Denmark. In connection to this event the joint Odin Teatret-Teatro Buendía production called "Andersen's Dream" was also presented.

For Cubans, Hans Christian Andersen represents the best and most pure humanistic ideals which inspire our efforts for a just, peaceful and better world for all. As part of the celebration of Hans Christian Andersen's bicentenary a bust of the great Danish fairytale-writer will be unveiled in a memorial park in Havana.


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