MIAMI – The 26th edition of the nation’s finest and largest literary gathering, Miami Book Fair International (Fair), presented by the Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami Dade College (MDC), will take place November 8-15, 2009 at the college’s Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. Second Ave., in downtown Miami.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Fair will again treat book lovers to more than a week of cultural and educational activities, including author readings, book signings, the beloved Evenings with series, the IberoAmerican Authors program, the popular Street Fair Nov. 13 – 15 on the actual closed streets of downtown Miami surrounding the campus, Children’s Alley, and much more.
SOME CHANGES
However, several past components of the Fair have been scaled back or postponed due to the challenging economic times and state budget cuts the college is facing. The Fair will be more contained. For example, this year, there will be no opening day ceremony and festivities; no International Pavilions Village; and no Street Fair Parade. In addition, the Fair is cutting back the number of author presentations, but still planning to present some 300 authors and writers representing the best in contemporary literature.
In addition, the members of the Book Fair board of directors and Fair administrators are raising the admission to the weekend Street Fair, from $5 to $8 per person. However, persons age 62 and over will continue paying $5. The Fair is also preserving the free access to fairgoers under 18, volunteers and others.
Access to the Street Fair on Friday, Nov. 13th, will remain free of charge. Plans also call for the Evenings with program, which has been free for the last 25 years, to have a $10 admission fee. Moreover, the Fair is launching a philanthropic campaign aimed at mitigating this year’s financial challenges and supporting the long term sustainability of the beloved literary event.
TOP CONFIRMED AUTHORS
Many of the world’s top authors are already confirmed for this year’s Fair. These include Sherman Alexie, Margaret Atwood, Roy Blount Jr., Robert Olen Butler, Meg Cabot, Alan Cheuse, Susie Essman, Mike Farrell, Al Gore, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Barbara Kingsolver, Jonathan Lethem, Peter Mayle, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Ralph Nader, Todd Oldham, Richard Powers, Francine Prose, Jeannette Walls and many others.
Confirmed Spanish-language authors include Roberto Ampuero, Juanita Castro, Boris Izaquirre, Edmundo Paz Soldan, Cristina Rivera Garza, Raul Rivero and others.
“We are looking forward to hosting another amazing Miami Book Fair International this fall especially during a time when people need the escape and release so much that only books can provide,” says Alina Interián, Executive Director of the Florida Center for the Literary Arts. “Even with our many challenges, we are confident fairgoers will enjoy this year’s program. We are very proud of our efforts, and take our responsibility to promote reading and literacy very seriously.”
“Best-selling writers, respected scholars, prize winners, artists, and hundreds of thousands of book lovers will again converge in downtown Miami,” added Book Fair chair and co-founder, Mitchell Kaplan. “You won’t want to miss it. However, please consider supporting YOUR book fair with a donation. Visit www.miamibookfair.com to give us your support.”
