The President of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernández, and the Vice President Rafael Alburquerque presided over the opening ceremony yesterday at the inauguration of the 11th International Book Fair of Santo Domingo 2008, dedicated this year to the Association of Caribbean States and in homage to Dominican historian Emilio Rodríguez Demorizi.

In keeping with data submitted by Lantiagua, 44 countries, 1,006 writers, 656 publishers exhibiting books, 252 of them foreigners, are participating in the 11th International Book Fair of Santo Domingo 2008.

President Fernandez cut the ribbon to officially launch the annual cultural event being held at the Eduardo Brito Hall of the National Theater. Accompanying the President was the First Lady, the Minister of Culture and honor students Leidy Isabel Hernández, of Monte Plata, and Héctor Aníbal Santillán, of Villa Verde, La Romana.

At the inauguration, President Fernández was given 41 copies of the same number of books that are being put into circulation during the fair that will go on until May 4.

Also present at the opening ceremony was Book Fair Director Alejandro Arvelo; Luis Fernando Fallas and Ruben Silié, of the Association of Caribbean States and Clara Rodríguez Demorizi, daughter of famed historian Emilio Rodríguez Demorizi, among others.

The Minister of Culture gave the main speech in which he emphasized the achievements and conquests made in education, such as the National Commission for the Promotion of Books and Reading; the approval of the Five-Year Book and Reading Plan and the Law Project for Books and Libraries.

In keeping with data submitted by Lantiagua, 44 countries, 1,006 writers, 656 publishers exhibiting books, 252 of them foreigners, are participating in the 11th International Book Fair of Santo Domingo 2008. Throughout the Fair there will be 2,432 conferences and 90 book presentations being given as well as hundreds of workshops, readings, discussions and artistic presentations.

During the opening ceremony, various people and companies were recognized for their support of the events promoted by the Ministry of Culture. José León Asencio received recognition in the name of the León Jimenes Group which yearly offers the National Book Prize. The Society for Cultural Renovation of Puerto Plata, represented by Lilian Russo; the Antorcha Group represented by Mateo Morrison, Soledad Álvarez, Enrique Eusebio, the late Rafael Abreu Mejía and the President of the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications, José Rafael Vargas.

The ceremony ended with an artistic presentation, “The Caribbean, A Sea of Culture,” produced by Carlos Alfredo Fatule.

Photos by: Ann Cassale y Apolinar Perdomo.