Dominican Republic has Intense Schedule at Panama’s International Book Fair

Dominican Republic has Intense Schedule at Panama’s International Book Fair
Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, 9/1/2011

The Dominican Republic was the guest of honor at the VII International Book Fair of Panama, held between August 14-28 in the Atlapa Convention Center of Panama City.

The Dominican delegation was lead by Minster of Culture, José Rafael Lantigua, Deputy Ministers Enegildo Peña and Alexander Santana; Alejandro Arvelo, Director General of the Dominican International Book Fair and writer, Pedro Antonio Valdéz, Executive Director of the Dominican International Book Fair.

The Ministry of Culture attended with a large delegation that included writers, editors, artists and theater people. Their program emphasized the relevant aspects of our culture through literature, history, theater, music, film and gastronomy.

A message from President Fernandéz, was shown at the inaugural event of the Book Fair. In his recorded message, the Dominican President stressed the importance of this coming together of two fraternal nations and he thanked the hosts for choosing the DR to be the guest country of honor.

The Dominican delegation was lead by Minster of Culture, José Rafael Lantigua, Deputy Ministers Enegildo Peña and Alexander Santana; Alejandro Arvelo, Director General of the Dominican International Book Fair and writer, Pedro Antonio Valdéz, Executive Director of the Dominican International Book Fair.

Writers in the delegation included in the cultural program were Minou Tavárez Mirabal, León Félix Batista, Basilio Belliard, Franklin Gutierrez, Ángela Hernández, Luis R. Santos, Carlos Nina Gómez, Miguel Collado, Manuel Salvador Gautier, Nayila Pichardo, Miguel Collado, among others. Media personality Euri Cabral and Adriano Miguel Tejada, Director of the Diario Libre newspaper, were also there.

Topics such as the Mirabal Sisters, the 50th anniversary of the killing of Trujillo, reading, Dominican narrative and poetry, Juan Luis Guerra and 4:40 were presented by members of the Dominican delegation. These presentations were followed by a warm reception and many interesting questions and comments from the audience.

The musical part of the Dominican presentation was done by Rafael Solano, Nini Cáffaro and Ileana Reynoso, who put on a wonderful musical performance following the inauguration. This performance gave the public a valuable chance to enjoy the greatest hits of Dominican musical history.

Yiyo Robles and the Traveling Theater (Teatro Rodante), coordinated by Carlota Carretero, put on several shows in the various spaces at the Book Fair. They too represented aspects of Dominican theater and history.

Representing Dominican film, various movies were shown: “Trópico de Sangre” by Juan Deláncer; “Un macho de mujer” by Alfonso Rodríguez, and “Un pasaje de ida” by Aglisberto Meléndez.

The Ministry of Culture had a large pavilion where they displayed the cultural wealth of the Dominican Republic. There were other spaces exclusively dedicated to the sale of books from different Dominican publishing houses; this area was coordinated by Valentin Amaro, Director of the National System of Literary Workshops.

In addition to Dominican books, this space was open to visitors who wanted to meet the visiting Dominican writers who signed books and met with Panamanian authors.
The Ministry of Culture had support from the Dominican Embassy in Panama. Dominican Ambassador in Panama is Octavio Líster.

The VII International Book Fair of Panama hosted writers and publishers from many countries around Latin America, especially from Central America to whom the April 2012 Dominican Book Fair will be dedicated.

Part of the Dominican delegation gather for a photo following the inauguration of the Book Fair. They are accompanied by members of the Dominican Embassy in Panama.

Adriano Miguel Tejada shares a conversation with the public following his presentation at the Book Fair.

Dominican Pavilion at the VII International Book Fair in Panama City.