The Dominican Republic’s most significant literary event, the Santo Domingo International Book Fair (FILSD 2025) is set to open its doors this Thursday, 25 September and be held through Sunday, 5 October 2025 on the grounds of the Plaza de la Cultura.
Once again, the cultural extravaganza promises to deliver a vibrant celebration of culture, literature, and art. This year’s fair, the 27th edition, will honor one of the nation’s most influential historians, Frank Moya Pons, and place a special focus on children’s and young adult literature to inspire a new generation of readers.
FILSD 2025 will feature the Network of Book and Literary Festivals of Latin America as its guest of honor. This collaboration is expected to create a dynamic exchange of ideas and talent, bringing together prominent writers and publishers from across the region.
The fair’s leaders, Vice Minister of Culture Pastor de Moya and Director of Book Fairs Joan Ferrer highlight the event’s growing influence. “This is the country’s most important literary event and a space for dialogue with the region’s publishing industry,” De Moya stated.
The fair’s growing reputation was cemented in 2023 when it received the prestigious country brand certification, solidifying its role as a key platform for promoting Dominican culture globally. The event’s impressive scale is reflected in last year’s figures, which included over 600,000 visitors, more than RD$75 million in book sales, and participation from 19 countries.
With more than 600 planned activities, this year’s schedule is packed with engaging content for all ages. Attendees can look forward to:
• 182 book presentations
• 33 conferences
• 125 talks
• 65 workshops
• 103 colloquiums
The fair will be housed across 15 thematic pavilions, three conference rooms, two auditoriums, and 123 exhibition spaces, including dedicated areas for children’s literature.
New initiatives are also on the horizon. The Business Room aims to help local authors reach international markets, featuring a professional literary agent and a respected digital publisher. The Multiplying Letters program will support cultural managers and workshop leaders from various provinces, ensuring wider participation.
One of the most popular returning features is the Bonolibro program, which gave away 21,000 free books last year to encourage visits and boost book sales.
This year’s fair will also draw a wide range of renowned international publishers, including Grupo Editorial Planeta, Grupo Anaya, Fondo de Cultura Económica, and the University of Salamanca, further establishing FILSD as a major global event.
Beyond the pages, the fair will bridge the gap between literature and film. The National Cinematheque will host its own space, screening Dominican short films and documentaries. These film series, a major attraction for the public, will explore the connections between storytelling in books and on screen.
As the countdown to the fall event begins, Santo Domingo is poised to host what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of literature, art, and cultural exchange.
Read more in Spanish:
Noticias SIN
16 September 2025