In the Dominican Republic, physical book reading remains strong despite the increase in digital books and the downward trend in libraries, since last year the Editora Nacional published 36 titles and 32,000 copies.
While for the edition of the Santo Domingo International Book Fair 2024 (FILSD) 18 titles have been published. Furthermore, in the last edition of this event it is reported that they sold 50 million copies, a high quantity sold at fair prices, cheaper than usual.
With these arguments, authorities from the Ministry of Culture responded to the question of how reading levels are in the country in the various formats, although they recognize that the digital book has impacted the physical one.
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“We promote reading on any platform and in any format,” said the minister. Milagros German by participating in the Corripio Group Lunch with Angela Hernandezdirector of Books and Reading and Joan Ferrerdirector of FILSD 2024.
Regarding book sales at the 2023 fair, he said that the amount of 50 million was significant because there were some with prices of up to 25 pesos, which implies thousands of copies circulating, with the best-selling genre being the novel, followed by the story. , essays and comics.
While Hernández highlighted that a recent study in the Greater Santo Domingo showed a high percentage of readers, a large part of them digital, although the latter must be taken with caution about what is read because through cell phones “we are reading all day and that does not necessarily tell us that they are readers, but it is quite significant.”
He said that the majority stated that what they read the most are stories, novels, that is, narrative and fiction continue to be the prevailing genres.
He said that they plan to apply this survey on reading habits to the entire country to have more precise information for which they have an agreement with the National Statistics Office.
Germán highlighted that in Europe it has been determined that during the pandemic there was a resurgence of the physical book, as many people moved away from the platforms to escape reality, from Covid-19, a habit that remained established.
Libraries
Regarding public libraries, Hernández acknowledged that there is an alarming decline, since the last inventory carried out in 2015 indicated that there were 250, which later dropped to 50 of which only 30 are functioning.
“The ministry is paying attention to gathering all the information to develop, to outline, a plan for the creation and development of public libraries,” he stated.
He stated that it is proven that the habit of reading in libraries will later allow bookstores to develop and the development of the publishing industry, which has a direct impact on education.
“Now, the new news is that there is more and more awareness. In recent years, book publishing here has grown in an extraordinary way,” said Hernández.
He pointed out that in addition to the fair, awareness campaigns are being carried out and groups of citizens are emerging who are becoming reading mediators, which is evidenced by the large number of requests for book donations, to the point that the Ministry of Culture has donated around 50 thousand books.
Expectations
With more than 600 activities, 15 pavilions, 98 authors from 18 countries, 200 local writers trust that this year will surpass the last edition in attendance, book sales, programming, as well as quantity and quality of activities. This year’s motto is “Books connect.”
Ferrer and Hernández highlighted the plurality of cultural manifestations that are exhibited, where there are no restrictions on the sale of books.
The Santo Domingo International Book Fair 2024 It takes place from last Thursday, November 7 to Sunday the 17th in the Plaza de la Cultura of the National District, which has become a “cultural lung,” highlighted Minister Germán.
He said the event has been designed inclusively with indoor activities. “The fair is taking place in an environment of great energy, vitality… people enjoy their Book Fair despite the rains,” said Germán.
