The Nation’s Premier Literary Gathering, Miami Book Fair International to Host its 26th Edition Nov. 8 – 15, 2009
Fairgoers will notice space limitations due to construction on the Fair site as the literary treasure builds for the future as well as budgetary restrictions due to the economy. Core remains the same.
Miami, July 10, 2009 - 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.”
The 2009 Fair official poster, all attending authors and the final program will be unveiled at a sponsored reception in September, which will be “invitation only.”
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 170,000 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 300 distinct degree programs including baccalaureate, associate in arts and science degrees and numerous career training certificates leading to in-demand jobs. In 2006, MDC admitted its 1.5 millionth student.
Miami Book Fair International 2009
- WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 8, 5:00 PM - Sunday, Nov. 15, 4:00 PM
- WHERE: Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. Second Ave., downtown Miami
- COST: Varies
More details to come. For regular updates on these and all other related events please go to www.miamibookfair.com, call 305-237-3528 or email wbookfair@mdc.edu.
Media-only contacts:
Juan Mendieta, 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu, MDC communications director
Tarnell Carroll, 305-237-3359, tcarroll@mdc.edu, Media Specialist
Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu, media specialist
Alejandro Rios, 305-237-7482, arios1@mdc.edu
Lisa Palley, 305-642-3132, lpalley@bellsouth.net