Santo Domingo, Sep 4 (EFE).- The XXV Santo Domingo International Book Fair concluded this Monday with sales of over 50 million pesos (a little more than 877,000 dollars), figures that “far exceed” those recorded in previous editions, reported the Dominican Ministry of Culture.
The state-run Editora Nacional sold more than 2,000 copies of 32 titles published for this fair, while the Comic Pavilion, which for the second consecutive year was part of the fair, represented one of the examples of the “”excellent level of sales”, since it was forced to replenish its inventory due to the high demand for titles of this genre.
Between 20,000 and 40,000 people visited the fairgrounds daily, which was held in the capital’s Plaza de la Cultura, which this year launched a new organization model in terms of the distribution of spaces, design and security, highlighted the information.
The 2023 Book Fair, which had as its motto “There is a book for everything”, was dedicated to the writer Jeannette Miller, National Literature Prize winner (2011), and included the participation of Israel as a guest country.
The Dominican Minister of Culture, Milagros Germán, attributed the success of this edition to the “massive support” of citizens and students; an influx that allowed bookstores to successfully market their books.
“In our Ministry of Culture we are very proud of the success of this fair, which, without a doubt, is the success of a great team that dedicated itself body and soul to working with a sense of commitment and duty that becomes a example,” said Germán.
The official was accompanied by the Israeli ambassador in Santo Domingo, Raslan Abu Rukun, who thanked the distinction that being the guest country of the 2023 fair represented.
Germán highlighted that the 2023 Book Fair stood out for its focus on the organization and comfort of visitors, installing air-conditioned pavilions that guaranteed a pleasant atmosphere for attendees.
In addition, he noted, the Museums of History and Geography and of the Dominican Man were used, as well as the Pedro Henríquez Ureña National Library, the National Theater and the Dominican Cinematheque, as host spaces for numerous exhibitions and activities.
One location that especially caught the attention of visitors was the debut Imagination Pavilion, in which technology dazzled adults and children through immersive exhibits that allowed visitors to interact with innovative inventions made by mechatronics students from several universities. locals, the statement highlighted.
This space also presented other attractions, such as augmented reality books, virtual tours of the Colonial City, robotic arms and a car track that works through the user’s concentration level.
Minister Germán was accompanied by the general director of Books and Reading, the writer Ángela Hernández, and the director of the Book Fairs, Joan Ferrer.EFE
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