Cuba Attractions - The Havana Book Market

From Wednesdays to Saturdays, an improvisedancient books dating from the 19th century are likely to
market of book sellers opens up in the Havana's Plazabe found at bargain prices (up to 30 CUC). In general,
de Armas, the oldest square constructed in Havana,what customers look for the most in these shelves of
where the book sellers exhibit their titles and rarethe Arms Square are books on Afro Cuban folklore
books. This square dates from the 16 century and is aand on Cuban history.
must-see for tourists. The book sellers in this squareOld editions of Cuban recipe books can also be found
work under a legal status and pay a lease for the(the books by TV presenter and cook Nitza Villapol
place and a license for freelancing.are much-sought after). The sellers have old editions
Among the book sellers we can find a woman thatof books on Cuban art, almost all the books printed on
inherited her skills as a seller from her mother and whoCuban music and Cuban musicians, and recently they
has been selling hundreds of books during 12 years inhave included among their offers stamp collections and
the square; or a married couple, she is a lawyer andcollections of ancient photographs. Some sellers have
he is an aviation mechanic, who do not think to returnspecialized in selling illegal editions of books that are
to their professions and prefer selling books evenabout to come out from the printers.
though some days they go back without having sold aIn recent years, the visitor can find all kinds of rare
single book.souvenirs: commemorative medals from the
However, not all the books are sold to foreigners; thepost-soviet stage in Cuba, old foreign bills and coins
sellers have regular Cuban customers for whom theybelonging to Cuban collectors, acetates of Cuban and
keep books by Cuban writers who live exiled or booksinternational music, and every time more books,
that are not printed or legally sold in Cuba for beingphotographs and papers that belonged to important
forbidden by the Cuban regime. Other customers arefigures of the Cuban history and culture.
collectors who are always looking for an important orIt is important to mention that in Cuba there is a law
lost title. These particular books are not always shownthat forbids the taking out of the country Cuban or
on the shelves, but the sellers admit that they have notforeign books and publications of patrimonial interest.
had any problems with the authorities for selling them.The Cuban registry of Cultural Goods issues an
Generally speaking, the prices are really low for theexportation certificate to those titles that are
tourists, but Cubans are not likely to afford that sort ofconsidered as "exportable". Customs can confiscate
money. Tourists buy mainly books related toany item you are carrying in your luggage that is not
everything that means communism in Cuba (Ché,properly registered.
Fidel, the Revolution, etc.) and books on santeria. Very