SANTIAGO DE LOS CABALLEROS, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – In a significant cultural development, the Dominican Ministry of Culture has unveiled comprehensive plans for the inaugural Cibao Regional Book and Culture Fair, scheduled to take place in April 2026. The landmark event was formally announced at the Gran Teatro del Cibao this Wednesday, marking a coordinated effort to promote literary engagement and showcase the diverse cultural tapestry of the nation’s northern region.
Culture Minister Roberto Ángel Salcedo spearheaded the announcement alongside provincial governors, municipal leaders, legislators, and prominent cultural figures from across the participating provinces. Minister Salcedo characterized the fair as a profoundly democratic initiative designed to ensure equal participation from all 14 provinces comprising the Cibao region. The programming will emphasize regional traditions, cultural heritage, and intellectual discourse, with operational support provided by Vice President Raquel Peña’s office.
The festival’s official inauguration is set for April 19, 2026, with extensive activities unfolding from April 20-26 across multiple cultural venues in Santiago. Key locations include the Gran Teatro del Cibao, Centro León, Banreservas Cultural Center, and Ercilia Pepín Cultural Center. The ambitious program will feature over 100 distinct events, a central exhibition pavilion representing all participating provinces, and daily dedications honoring two provinces in rotation.
The 2026 edition will pay special tribute to Ulises Francisco Espaillat, commemorating the bicentennial of his birth. This historic fair represents the first centralized effort to celebrate Cibao’s unique cultural identity through coordinated programming that combines literary promotion with heritage preservation. Organizers anticipate substantial regional participation and international attention for this unprecedented cultural initiative.