The statement published today on the Peoples Dispatch website denounced the measure applied by organizers of the event against the National Literature Prize (2001), considered one of the most significant voices of Cuban literature.

Deserving of the highest recognitions for her work, both inside and outside Cuba, Morejon had been named this year president of honor of the Poetry Market, which has been held every year in the French capital since 1983.

The text explains that the decision was made following spurious claims by Jacobo Machover, a Cuban-French writer who throughout his career has used his platform to attack the Cuban Revolution and its people, under pressure from the French Pen Club.

According to what was initially planned for the event, which will be held from June 7 to 12, the Cuban essayist and translator would give a small speech at the opening and two lectures on Caribbean poetry.

“The stark hypocrisy of the organizers of the Poetry Market is evident,” said the communiqué from the editors, writers, creators and artists that make up the organization.

It stressed that in this case, the actions of the organizers of the Paris Poetry Market go against all the principles of freedom of expression and ideas and capitulates to the right-wing demands for censorship.

Likewise, it legitimizes the systematic attacks of the United States, Europe and the interests of global capitalism against Cuban culture and society, it said.

According to the letter, the members of the IULP expressed their support and solidarity to the Cuban intellectual and to all the writers and artists in Cuba, because it, along with its people, remain strong and dignified in the face of the systematic attacks of U.S. imperialism and its European partners.

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