Other attractions suggest for all its political stagnation the Dominican Republic is not being left behind by technological developments.

The 25th FIL Santo Domingo promises to be a fiery event, with Israel the Guest of Honour despite protests that date back a full year.

The protests of course are political, but that’s a broad category embracing not just opposition to Israel’s record in Palestine but also protest at the record of the Dominican Republic’s own government and its treatment of Haitians as well as domestic violence and censorship.

Among the protestors signing a boycott call are the Puerto Rican poet and novelist Mayra Santos-Febres and the US-born Dominican author Angie Cruz, both of whom have cancelled their participation FILSD23.

Others include author, scholar, and feminist political activist Angela Davis, public intellectual and philosopher Cornel West, Israeli historian Ilan Pappé, US-born Palestinian scholars and authors Rashid Khalidi and Steven Salaita, as well as Dominican authors Julia Alvarez, Elizabeth Acevedo, Nelly Rosario and Junot Díaz.

Bur for locals unconcerned with politics, or just wanting some escapism, the event also has much to offer. Not least the new “Imagination Pavilion”, which promises to “captivate attendees with interactive exhibitions that include a 4D tour of the Colonial City.”

Other attractions suggest for all its political stagnation the Dominican Republic is not being left behind by technological developments.

“Visitors will be able to live immersive experiences in the metaverse, with a virtual library that will allow them to interact with augmented-reality books. A mind-controlled car track will be presented, a robotic arm mimics a real arm’s movements, and the Technological Institute of the Americas will exhibit various applications of artificial intelligence.”

In fact Google is there hosting a conference titled “Artificial Intelligence in the Google Cloud”.

Dolores Vicioso has more on the event programme.

For more on the boycott, try Mondoweiss.

The Santo Domingo International Book Fair runs August 24 through September 3.

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