The largest book fair held in the Caribbean opens in Santo Domingo on Friday, 27 April. The fair, which is one of the most popular exhibitions held annually in the DR, will last through 7 May. The very successful family affair is held annually to promote reading. The fair again will take place at the grounds of the National Music Conservatory (former zoo of Santo Domingo), between Cesar Nicolas Penson, Alma Mater and Bolivar avenues. The government offers free shuttle service from parking in the Plaza de la Cultura grounds. The fair this year is dedicated to Juan Bosch, founder of the Partido de la Liberación Dominicana, the ruling party. This year the focus will be on France, which will have a special pavilion, and there will be many lectures by French authors and presentations by French publishing houses. 20 foreign writers are coming, including Mario Vargas Llosa who will present his book La Fiesta del Chivo, at the 26 April at the Salon Anacaona of the Hotel Jaragua. Vargas Llosa will attend the inauguration of the fair and will be available at Editora Taller, publisher of the Dominican version, to sign books. He later will travel to Santiago for a promotion of his new book. Other famous writers that will be coming are Peruvian Jaime Bayly, author of "No se lo digas a nadie"; Chilean Marcela Serrano, author of "Nosotras que nos queremos tantos," Argentinians Luis Guzmán and Héctor Tizón. Also, the widow of Argentinean poet Jorge Luis Borges. From France, novelist Paule Constant, winner of the Goncourt 1998 award; Olivier Todd, a specialist on Albert Camus; Dennis Rolland, specialist on contemporary history. Didier Lapeyronnie, will will give a talk on racism in Europe and sociologist Ivone Le Bot. The book fair also features active an active entertainment program, with shows mainly centered in the open air Cuevas de Santa Ana area.
