The I International Book Fair of Santo Domingo, a global version of the National Book Fair (in its 25th year), opens tonight on the grounds of the National Music Conservatory. President Leonel Fernández himself will be there to open at 7:30 pm what has turned into the principal cultural event held in Santo Domingo every year. 130 performers will go on stage to open the 10-day event that takes place at the conservatory grounds at César Nicolás Penson avenue corner Alma Mater. Those attending are recommended to take taxis or park far away as on the fair grounds parking is difficult. The opening time has been set for 6 pm, but the fair will be open as of Friday from 9:30 am to 10:30 pm. The fair will last through 3 May. Admission is free for days of unending cultural events of the arts and visits to over 280 pavilions hosted by national and international companies. Some 150 international publishing houses are participating from Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Spain, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, the United States and Venezuela. On the opening day, a play in honor of late Dominican folklorist, Fradique Lizardo will be staged at 8:30 pm. The opening show is entitled "Entre Páginas" and is produced by Salvador Bergés. Over a million visitors are expected, breaking last year’s record. The director of the National Music Conservatory, Floralba del Monte lamented that the book fair totally takes up the musical education activities of the conservatory. She said that when the book fair was held there originally several years back, she was told it was only a provisional location. She says that the conservatory is not the right place for the very popular book fair that hundreds of thousands of visitors that trample on the grounds and interrupt music education activities. More so, parking is extremely difficult in the area. This just emphasizes, that Santo Domingo desperately needs a large indoors convention facility.
