This fall, book lovers and aviation enthusiasts alike will get a one-of-a-kind hands-on experience when the 28th Santo Domingo International Book Fair opens its doors, blending the world of literature with the excitement of commercial flight. Running from September 24 to October 4 at Santo Domingo’s iconic Plaza de la Cultura, this year’s event adds an unexpected interactive attraction courtesy of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC): a custom-built public pavilion featuring two fully functional flight simulators that let visitors step into the pilot’s seat for a simulated flying experience.
Organized by the Dominican Ministry of Culture, the 2025 book fair carries a special thematic focus, honoring celebrated Dominican poet and essayist José Mármol, with Panama tapped as the event’s guest country of honor. Preceding the public opening, an official inauguration ceremony will be held at the National Theater on September 23, with public access kicking off the next day— which falls this year on a national public holiday, expected to draw a large first-day crowd.
The aviation exhibit at the Santo Domingo fair builds on the overwhelming success of a similar activation at the Northern Region Book Fair held in Santiago this past April. Organizers of that regional event reported that more than 10,000 attendees stopped by the aviation display, proving strong public interest in the interactive fusion of culture and industry outreach.
Beyond the thrill of flying the simulators, the pavilion also serves an educational purpose. Staff from IDAC and the Higher Academy of Aeronautical Sciences (ASCA), a regional aviation training institution formally recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), will be on-site throughout the fair to offer personalized career guidance for attendees interested in joining the aviation workforce. Counselors will share detailed information about specialized technical degree programs in high-demand fields including air traffic control and aeronautical management.
The outreach initiative aligns with the rapid growth of the Dominican Republic’s civil aviation sector. Official data shows the country’s aviation market handled more than 20 million total passengers across 217,620 commercial and general aviation flight operations in 2025, creating a expanding need for new skilled workers across all segments of the industry. Event organizers say the exhibit is designed not just to entertain fair attendees, but also to shine a spotlight on the diverse, growing career opportunities available for local workers in this dynamic sector.