The seventh annual Santo Domingo Book Fair officially opens this evening in a ceremony to feature President Hipolito Mejia and Puerto Rican Culture Minister Teresa Tio at 8:30pm in the Manuel Rueda Hall of the National Music Conservatory. The fair will open to the public as of tomorrow, with daily hours from 9:30am ? 10pm.
This 10-day fair includes more than 450 exhibitors from more than 20 countries and will feature a photo tribute to Chilean poet Pablo Neruda to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth. Puerto Rico is this year?s special guest and the neighboring island will send approximately 80 delegates to the event. The Puerto Rican Symphony will also put on a free concert at the National Theatre. Some 500 events and activities are scheduled to take place during the fair and books will be on sale for as little RD$10.
El Caribe reports that preparations did not seem ready yesterday, as reporters wandered through the room and inspected the exhibitions in construction. Nevertheless, the event?s director, Miguel De Camps, indicated that there is nothing to be concerned about and that everything will be in place for tonight?s opening. Libreria Mateca owner Santiago Povedano quipped that it is an election year and something always goes awry at the book fair during election years.