He feels attracted to the author-reader connection that allows both to fantasize, he said recently in a press conference. "I like saying hello to them and that they praise my work," he said displaying his sense of humor and his unconcealed vanity.

The book fiesta begins on February 14th in its traditional venue at the Morro-Cabaña complex, overseeing Havana Bay. It will conclude on March 9th in eastern Santiago de Cuba.

Arrufat's works at the fair will include a compilation of short stories entitled "Qué harás después de mí" and "La pequeñas cosas", whose title brings to mind the famous song by Joan Manuel Serrat.

It was first published 20 years ago. "It is full of doors, pergolas and gardens," he said and refused to go into further detail.

Other titles include "Ejercicios para hacer de la utilidad una virtud", of difficult classification; "Los privilegios del deseo", which in the authors words "deals with the virtual life that desire creates in people and my prose writings," and a book dedicated to Cuban poet Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda.

Added to the list are "La manzana y la flecha" (essay), "El espejo del cuerpo" and a small book of 25 poems on issues like obsession and the mysteries of the human body. The latter was published by Vigía publishing house.

Poet, narrator, essayist and playwright, Anton Arrufat -- along with Graziella Pogolotti -- are the guests of honor at this years book fair. Both were awarded the National Literature Prize; Arrufat in 2000 and Pogolotti in 2005.

(Cubarte)