Festivities Start for Librarian's Day in Cuba

Havana, June 1 (acn) Cuban Librarian's Day to be observed June 7 has already unchained a series of activities involving all the more than seven thousand libraries in the island.

Homage, distinctions, and theoretical discussions start Friday June 1.

The western most province of Pinar del Rio will host the national event this year, said Margarita Bellas, President of the Cuban Association of Librarians (ASCUBI).

At present, ASCUBI has nearly 3,000 members. There are over 400 public libraries, over 6000 school libraries, and some 4,200 mini libraries around the country. The number of house-libraries and related centers in hospitals and clinics is also increasing.

Librarians with a brilliant career will be awarded with the National Prize and the Distinction Bachiller y Morales.

The celebration was appointed after the birth date of Cuban patriot Antonio Bachiller y Morales, considered the father of bibliography in Cuba and author in 1847 of the famous book "Aportes para la historia de las letras en Cuba".

Referring to the scholar, Cuba's National Hero Jose Marti said that talking to him was like having access to the library in Alexandria.