This event made possible the access to reading for many Cubans, the publication of several magazines, as well as the booklets, pamphlets and manuals of the National Literacy Campaign (1961).

At Fidel Castro’s suggestion, the masterpiece of Spanish literature, “El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha”, by Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra, was chosen as the first book to be published, with a print run of 100,000 copies.

The National Printing House of Cuba, created in 1959, was turned into the National Publishing House (1962) and the journalist, musicologist, researcher and novelist Carpentier remained in the management of that institution for four years.

Later, in 1967, the Cuban Book Institute was founded, creating a whole system of publishing houses in the country, and millions of titles by Cuban and foreign writers were released.

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