The 28th iteration of the Santo Domingo International Book Fair (FILSD) 2026 entered a bustling new phase of activity Wednesday morning, as rising visitor numbers and coordinated school group visits transformed the Juan Pablo Duarte Cultural Plaza venue into a lively hub of literary and cultural exchange.\n\nFrom the moment gates opened at dawn, the sprawling venue began filling with a diverse stream of guests: teenagers browsing graphic novel stands, older adults searching for nonfiction titles, and organized groups of K-12 students moving between pavilions as part of school-led educational activities. Organizers noted that school participation has been a key driver of the increased foot traffic, injecting far more energy into the fair grounds than the opening days saw.\n\nAs visitors wandered the rows of exhibitor stands exploring the thousands of titles on offer and signing up for scheduled talks, writing workshops, and author meet-and-greets, local reporters conducted casual interviews to gauge public opinion on this year’s edition. Most attendees praised the wide selection of books from both domestic and international publishers, and highlighted how events like the FILSD play a critical role in fostering a reading culture among younger generations.\n\nJunior Méndez, a 24-year-old attendee, told reporters he came to the fair specifically to uncover lesser-known historical narratives that rarely appear in mainstream bookstores. Echoing the views of many literary enthusiasts at the event, he emphasized that consistent reading is one of the most accessible tools for intellectual enrichment. “I think every person owes it to themselves to give reading a real chance,” Méndez explained. “You don’t have to force yourself through genres you hate—just find what sparks your curiosity and give that a shot.”\n\nRetired educator Ernesto Betancourt echoed that sentiment, sharing that he made regular trips to the book fair with his students throughout his decades-long teaching career, and still encourages young people to attend today regardless of their individual interests. “Even when I was working full-time in the classroom, I always prioritized bringing my classes here,” Betancourt recalled. “I pushed them to pick up books, explore new topics, and immerse themselves in all the culture this event has to offer.”\n\nFor all the positive feedback around the breadth of the 2026 fair’s publishing offerings, a number of attendees shared one common criticism: many book prices are higher than expected. Several visitors told reporters that elevated price points will likely prevent them from purchasing multiple titles during their visit, even when multiple books catch their eye. “I came in expecting more accessible pricing, since this is a public book fair meant to encourage reading,” said attendee Pablo Henríquez. “But honestly, a lot of these prices are higher than I see at regular commercial bookstores—it’s disappointing.”’