'There are no forbidden books on Cuba'. In 1998 Fidel Castro used these words to justify the paucity of modern literature on the island. Cubans promptly began to lend their own books to their neighbours. The government, which maintains control of the media, closed some of these independent libraries. Others continue. But censorship hinders the library owners' access to novels, textbooks and children's books, to say nothing of books at variance with communist ideas. IKV Pax Christi joined with CNV, CLAT Netherlands, Cuba Futuro and Glasnost in Cuba to support these independent libraries with a book campaign called 'Open the World to Cuba'. We need your help desperately.

 

Take a book along!
If a quarter of all the tourists that go to Cuba every year were to bring just one book each, Cuba would be a half million books richer. This would literally offer Cubans new perspectives. By bringing a book, you not only contribute to greater freedom of information on Cuba, you also have a different avenue of contact with the Cuban population. If a quarter of all the tourists that go to Cuba every year were to bring just one book each, Cuba would be a half million books richer. This would literally offer Cubans new perspectives. By bringing a book, you not only contribute to greater freedom of information on Cuba, you also have a different avenue of contact with the Cuban population.

 

You can order free books and an information package to leave behind in one of the libraries on the island by writing an email to latijnsamerika@ikvpaxchristi.nl. These are children's books, world literature, textbooks and books on the democratic transition in other countries. Taking along a few books will cause no problems during checks at Cuban airports.