HAVANA -- A Chinese cultural gala held here on Friday as part of the events of the 27th Havana International Book Fair enthralled the local audience with traditional artistic pieces.

The colorful and exciting show at Havana's Alicia Alonso Grand Theater was performed by the Shandong Art Troupe from eastern China, who displayed folk music, dance and acrobatics to the audience's delight.

The gala also served as the preamble of the celebrations in Cuba for Chinese Spring Festival, and represented a highlight moment of various activities where China is the nation guest of honor.

Abel Prieto, Cuban minister of culture, said the variety and beauty of the gala was an example of China's diversity.

"I am very happy with how the Chinese government assumed the commitment to be the nation guest of honor at our book fair ... They made a real effort to bring China's culture as an important gift for readers and in general for the Cuban public," he said.

The gala was held at the end of a fruitful day that included the signing of agreements between both nations' publishers to expand cooperation in several areas, and to establish a better dialogue between both cultures and peoples through literature.

Prieto said that these exchanges will lead to new joint projects, as is the case of Cuba's interest in displaying at the local theaters screening contemporary Chinese films.

The 27th Havana International Book Fair opened on Feb 1 at the old Fortress of San Carlos de la Cabana in Havana and is considered the most important cultural event in the Caribbean nation.

It will conclude its first stage in Havana on Feb 11 before traveling through the rest of the country until it ends on May 13 in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba.