The largest book fair held in the Caribbean opens in Santo Domingo tonight, Thursday, 27 April. 611 exhibitors are participating this year, up from the 486 of last year. Some 580 cultural and artistic events are planned for the 10-day fair, which is regarded as the principal cultural event held in the Dominican Republic. The fair is definitely the most visited by Dominicans. This year 90,000 visitors per day are expected. The exhibition will last through 6 May. 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 is offering free shuttle service from parking in the National Theater of the Plaza de la Cultura. 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 here for the event, including Mario Vargas Llosa who presented his book "La Fiesta del Chivo", at the Hotel Jaragua last night. Vargas Llosa will attend the inauguration of the fair and will be available at the stand of Editora Taller, the 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 are here for the fair are Peruvian Jaime Bayly, author of "No se lo digas a nadie" and Chilean Marcela Serrano, author of "Nosotras que nos queremos tanto." 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 give a talk on racism in Europe and sociologist Ivonne 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. These include the following activities and presentations: Bosch, Pensamiento y Canto; Primavera 2000; Grupo Maniel, La Ciudad y sus Cantos, Preciosa Quisqueya, Maracande, Xiomara Fortuna and Kaliumbe, Danza Jazz, Fantasia-Fantasia, and the folklore ballet of the UASD. Also, Caribbean Brass Quintet, El Oso, Grupo de Jazz Tre, Municipal Choir, Ballet of the Ministry of Tourism, Juvenile Symphony Orchestra, Quinteto Metales and Grupo Flam. Also, presentation of the choir of the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Ureña, musical group of the UNPHU, artistic groups from the UNAPEC and Universidad Interamericana, La Bella Alma de Don Damián, Rondalla Universitaria, Tuna and dance troupe of the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra. Other highlights of this year’s fair include a telescope for viewing the universe in the science pavilion, knowledge rallies, and a technological culture bazaar. There also will be a large children’s area.
