First digital book of Ediciones Matanzas is published.
The presentation of the first digital book of Ediciones Matanzas, entitled «El otro Antonio», by Dr. Ercilio Vento Canosa, caused a stir in the city, because it began the journey of Matanzas literature through the Internet universe.
Dedicated to Dr. Antonio Núñez Jiménez, one of the greatest scientists of the last century in Cuba, this first, now in the collection «La huella digital», was edited by Bárbaro Velazco Valderrama and the web edition by Náthaly Hernández Chávez.
The National Publishing Award, Alfredo Zaldívar, director of the publishing house and of the Casa de las Letras Digdora Alonso, emphasized the relevance of this event, which symbolizes, without renouncing the beloved printed book, the establishment of unlimited links with readers.
He also presented Ercilio with the commemorative stamp of the 45th Anniversary of Ediciones Matanzas and other incentives.
The editor Bárbaro Velazco pointed out that it was a satisfaction to work in the improvement of this text of so much value, which he described as «deep and tender» and emphasized the immense pleasure that it gave him that it was the one chosen to start the collection.
Náthaly Hernández also intervened to specify how much it meant the opening of the catalog of Matanzas titles, which, allowing an interactive and flexible communication, can be received through the cubaliteraria.cu platform.
On the other hand, the director of the Provincial Center for Books and Literature, Efrahím Pérez Izquierdo, acknowledged the work of Matanzas editions to achieve this new collection, which puts the territory on a par with other provinces that already have this service in favor of reading.
Interested in deepening on the motivations that originated the writing of this important book, which in printed form obtained the Critics Award, we interviewed Vento Canosa, who expressed:
«El otro Antonio is a writing that begins to be structured when I was forced to assume the presidency of the Speleological Society of Cuba, after the death of Núñez.
«A society that is the oldest in America, founder of the international institution, with enormous prestige, committed to the Revolution, since he was Captain of the Rebel Army and friend of Fidel, with a series of assigned responsibilities.
«I was moved to make known, before his death, a man seen from unknown nuances, in his environment as a father, husband, grandfather, brother. Then I recalled my experiences with him. Personal anecdotes, where the other Antonio appeared, in his broader character.
«I remember that while exploring the caves he asked me what flash I used to take pictures with and I told him I didn’t have one and suddenly he gave me his, or when he donated his personal jeep to take care of the Santa Catalina cave.
«He had an undisputed leading role in Cuban geographical sciences. Fidel appreciated in him not only the fighter of the Sierra Maestra, he saw the individual who was going to teach him Cuba. To the point that the Commander was appointed Honorary Member of the Speleological Society. The famous phrase that Cuba will be a country of men of science, arises precisely in the Congress of that organization.
«Nuñez Jimenez Jimenez possessed an admirable sense of dignity, evident when he represented Cuba on many occasions. I believe that the important thing about the book is to show not only the social projection of this person, but also how he did it in private, in the face of danger or at home, with his friends and colleagues.
To the people of Matanzas, Cubans and readers of the world comes this work in digital format as a gift to the intellect in its eagerness to discern the features in the personality of a man of science and honor, that through pleasant anecdotes and stories reveals our Historian of the City, the also doctor and admirable writer Ercilio Vento Canosa.
Written by María Elena Bayón.
