The Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo, Dominican
Republic was selected to hold the most important event related to reading in
the country, the INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR. The fair started on Friday, April 26th
and ended on Sunday, May 5th.. More than 500 years of history
mingled with readers, writers and knowledge.
This big billboard, which reads “Twenty-second
International Book Fair, Santo Domingo 2019”, welcomed nationals and
foreigners.
Escritores Dominicanos Independientes and Pluma
Poética del Arte (Independent Dominican Writers and Poetic Pen of Art) opened
their stand on Calle Mercedes. There, readers had the opportunity to see and
buy literary works and share with their writers as well. The said organizations
contribute greatly with the development of reading and writing, especially in
the Dominican Republic.
Readers and writers became one at the stand
full of books of Fiction, Romance, Self-help, the Learning of English, and so
on.
Kids just loved fairy tales while their parents
took a look at and bought science fiction, poetry, and other types of literary
works.
An enthusiastic reader has a lively conversation
with Enriqueta and Ruth, two of the writers who belong in one of the sponsoring
writers’ societies.
Independent Dominican Writers advertised,
exhibited and sold El Autoaprendizaje de Inglés (The Self-Learning of English), among
many other titles. That book was written by Máximo
Encarnación Gomera, a Professor of the Languages and Middle Education Schools
at Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (Autonomous University in Santo
Domingo), UASD.
Maricela Martínez, author and member of Poetic
Pen of Art, signs one her short stories collection, Los Ojos del Cuervo, for
Professor Encarnación.
Professor Encarnación signs his book for Neudy,
one of the readers.
David, another reader, holds Mr. Encarnación’s
book with pride.
