Miami Book Fair International to Celebrate its 25th Anniversary Nov. 9 – 16
Miami, Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - The 25th Annual Miami Book Fair International, presented by the Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami Dade College, will take place November 9-16 at the Wolfson Campus, 300 NE 2nd Ave., in downtown Miami. The nation’s largest and finest literary gathering will again treat book lovers to more than a week of activities, including author readings, book signings, its beloved Evenings with series, the IberoAmerican Authors program, the popular Street Fair, Nov. 14 – 16, Children’s Alley, the International Pavilions Village, and, for the first time, Comix Galaxy and the Cultural Fringes Festival. The Comix Galaxy will present a comprehensive programs on graphic novels and the comics world, including a day of panels for librarians, educators, creators and publishing professionals; activities for the children and teens; publisher/exhibitor participation; and sessions with creators/authors. The Cultural Fringes Festival will feature South Florida’s premier and emerging arts groups presenting theatre, film, dance, fine arts, photography and music programs celebrating literature and the fair’s 25-year history.
“We are looking forward to hosting the best ever Miami Book Fair International,” says Alina Interián, Executive Director of the Florida Center for the Literary Arts. “In 25 years, thanks to our many partners and, especially, the community we serve, the Book Fair has grown into the largest, finest and most innovative literary gathering in the hemisphere. We are very proud of this, 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. You won’t want to miss it.”
Authors expected this year include Fernando Arrabal, Ishmael Beah, Russell Banks, Dave Barry, Mario Batali, Ishmael Beah, Anthony Bourdain, Bill Buford, Sandra Cisneros, Andrei Codrescu, Billy Collins, Michael Cunningham, Junot Diaz, Nikki Giovanni, Matt Groening, Robert Hass, Carl Hiaasen, Nancy Horan, Greg Iles, Susan Isaacs, Chip Kidd, Mark Kurlansky, Eduardo Lago, Wally Lamb, William Least Heat Moon, Dennis Lehane, Margot Livesey, Peter Matthiessen, Frank McCourt, Campbell McGrath, Patrick McGrath, Brad Meltzer, Plinio Apuleyo Mendoza, Joyce Carol Oates, Stewart O¹Nan, Francine Prose, Esmeralda Santiago, Scott Simon, Tavis Smiley, Art Spiegelman, Les Standiford, Amy Tan, Scott Turow, Zoe Valdes, Gore Vidal, Derek Walcott, Eric Weiner, Lauren Weisberger, Cornell West, Edmund White, Terry Tempest Williams and hundreds more.
A special kick-off event, where the full program will be announced and this year’s posters unveiled, will take place in September. Details will be announced soon.
MIAMI BOOK FAIR INTERNATIONAL AND THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR THE LITERARY ARTS
Miami Book Fair International is the largest and is regarded as the finest literary gathering in America. It is the premier event of the Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami Dade College. The Center promotes reading and writing throughout the year by consistently presenting quality literary activities open to all in South Florida. Literacy projects target children of all ages—from kindergarten to high school—as well as college students and adults. Established and emerging writers from South Florida and all over the U.S. read, lecture, and teach workshops. They work with K-12, MDC students, and diverse members of the community, helping to deepen their understanding of literature, and encouraging their work of writers at all stages of development. The Center envisions South Florida as a nexus of literary activity in the Americas and beyond, and will continue to champion its mission of promoting the advancement and appreciation of the literary arts in all forms.
Miami Book Fair International is made possible through the generous support of the State of Florida and the National Endowment for the Arts; the City of Miami; Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; Miami-Dade County Public Schools; the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau; the Miami Downtown Development; and the Friends of the Fair; as well as many corporate partners.
ABOUT MIAMI DADE COLLEGE
Miami Dade College has a long and rich history of involvement in the cultural arts, providing South Florida with a vast array of artistic and literary offerings including The Miami Book Fair International, The Florida Center for the Literary Arts, The Miami International Film Festival, the Cultura del Lobo performance arts series, The Cuban Cinema Series, the Miami Leadership Roundtable speakers’ series, numerous renowned campus art galleries and theaters, and the nationally recognized School of Entertainment and Design Technology. With an enrollment of more than 165,000 students, MDC is the largest institution of higher education in the country and is a national model for many of its programs. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer more than 200 distinct degree programs including baccalaureate, associate of arts and associate of science degrees. In 2006, MDC admitted its 1.5 millionth student.
- WHAT: 25th Annual Miami Book Fair International
- WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 9 - 16
- WHERE: MDC Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. Second Ave., Miami
For regular updates on these and all other events please go to www.miamibookfair.com.
Media-only contacts:
Juan Mendieta, 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu, MDC communications director
Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu, media specialist
Alejandro Rios, 305-237-7482, arios1@mdc.edu