Cuban Research Institute at FIU hosts book signing

Guethshina Altena/ Assistant Entertainment Director

People interested in the life and works of historical figures would be interested in this book presentation.

On Friday, Jan. 22, at 8 p.m., author Jesus Diaz Loyola will be giving a presentation about his recently released book, “Chronicles of the Caribbean: The Life and Work of Manolín Alvarez.”

The book presentation will take place in Books and Books, Coral Gables at 265 Aragon Avenue.

Loyola will present the book, provide an overview and conclude with a question and answer session. A book signing session will take place after the event.

The author was born in Caibarién, Cuba, where he studied Journalism in at the University of Oriente. He went on to become the Grand Prize winner of the Radio Villa Clara in 1987 and the Documentary Award at the National Radio and Television Festival of 1987.

For thirteen years, between 1985 and 1998, Loyola worked as an editor and reporter for Radio Progresso, Radio Rebelde, Radio Habana Cuba, Cuba’s National Information Agency and the Newspaper “Vanguardia”.

The Cuban Research Institute at FIU, also co-sponsored by the Centro Asturiano de Miami, is organizing this event to present and promote Loyola’s book. The event is free and open to all.

The book is about Manolín Alvarez, an Austrian immigrant who arrived in Caibarién, Cuba in 1920 and became well known when he created the first radio station in the country.

Alvarez had the opportunity to meet prominent figures such as Antonio Machín, Federico Gracia Lorca and Gabriela Mistral. Alvarez has also witnessed the transit between Fulgencio Batista Regime and Fidel Castro’s, revolution and deception.

Throughout the book, readers will learn about the timeline of commercial radios in Cuba, from their start to the contemporary period.

“People should come to this upcoming book presentation because it is an opportunity to meet the author and hear about this outstanding book,” said Aymee Correa, the Public Affairs Manager at the Cuban Research Institute.

For more information, contact the Cuban Research Institute at 305-348-1991 or email them at cri@fiu.edu