Editora Nacional pays tribute to Mateo Morrison at FILSD 2024 with new literary releases

Santo Domingo.- The Editora Nacional, under the leadership of Margarita Marmolejos, has launched three books dedicated to the celebrated Dominican writer Mateo Morrison at the XXVI Feria Internacional del Libro Santo Domingo (FILSD 2024). The event, held in the Sala de Letras, was attended by notable literary figures, including Minister of Culture Milagros Germán, Ángela Hernández, Joan Ferrer, and acclaimed authors such as Soledad Álvarez, Bernardo Vega, José Ángel Mercedes Bartini, and Elena Ramos.

The books unveiled were Good Morning, Mr. Morrison by Morrison himself, Mateo Morrison: plenitud de vida y escritura by Manuel Matos Moquete, and Mateo Morrison, una idea cultural en movimiento by José Ángel Mercedes Bratini. These works explore different facets of Morrison’s career and contributions, emphasizing his impact on Dominican literature and cultural development.

Morrison, who was present at the event, expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing that his success is part of a collective cultural journey. “I cannot claim any protagonism that does not include those who have fought for cultural management and democratization, many of whom are no longer with us,” he said, recalling his years of activism and literary work.

Margarita Marmolejos and Editora Nacional’s expansive literary offering

Under the direction of Margarita Marmolejos, the Editora Nacional is presenting 18 new literary works at FILSD 2024, reinforcing its role as a leading force in Dominican publishing. Among the highlights are three books dedicated to Morrison, three publications honoring the Dominican community of Washington Heights in New York, and a book celebrating the distinguished writer Rhina P. Espaillat, based in Boston.

On November 11 at 8:00 p.m., a special event will pay tribute to the Dominican diaspora in Washington Heights with the presentation of three books: Trópico nevado, a short story anthology featuring 27 authors compiled by José Acosta; Autografía de la conciencia by José Aníbal Perdomo; and Mi Carnaval, My Carnival, a bilingual children’s book by Elizabeth Balaguer.

Additionally, the Editora Nacional is launching Nuevas aguas de dos ríos, the first Spanish-only collection of poetry by Rhina P. Espaillat, highlighting her influence on both Dominican and American literature.

This year’s FILSD will also see the incorporation of Pedro Peix into the Biblioteca Dominicana Básica with La tumbadora and El fantasma de la calle El Conde, presented in Volume 29 with a foreword by Danilo Manera. The Colección Homenaje will release La inquietud del ala, a selection of poetry by Carmen Natalia Martínez, curated by Ángela Hernández.

The Editora Nacional is also presenting three significant essay collections: El recorrido poético de Domingo Moreno Jimenes by Bárbara García Moreno, the Dominican edition of Escribir otra isla by Néstor Rodríguez, Eva González, and Fernanda Bustamante, and Tigres de otro pelaje by Sydney Hutchinson, which explores the history of Dominican merengue típico.

Margarita Marmolejos, director of Editora Nacional, presents new literary works at FILSD 2024, highlighting the contributions of Dominican writers and celebrating the legacy of Mateo Morrison. (Photo: external source)

Expanding the horizons of fiction and poetry

This year, speculative fiction makes a return with Necropolitanos, an unpublished novel by Jonás Sánchez, featuring illustrations by Markus Edjical. In an exciting addition, the book fair will introduce Luz desde el dolor y la esperanza, a selection of Bulgarian short stories compiled by Hristo Slavov, showcasing the literary voices of both classical and modern Bulgarian authors.

Poetry and historical narratives also hold a special place in the lineup. Among the most anticipated books are La tristeza sin fin de ser poeta by Chiqui Vicioso, exploring the life of poet Julia de Burgos; Relatos dominicanos a la vuelta del siglo XX, a collection compiled by Miguel D. Mena; Desde el diamante, a series of baseball-themed stories gathered by Tomás Castro Burdiez; and Los muchachos del parque Duarte, a poetry selection compiled by Luis Reynaldo Pérez, which captures the spirit of poets who frequent Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone.

A special public poetry reading of Los muchachos del parque Duarte is scheduled for November 11 at 6:00 p.m. at the Plaza de la Cultura, adding another highlight to this year’s fair.

Luis Reynaldo Pérez, writer and cultural promoter, presents “Los muchachos del parque Duarte”, an anthology that brings together poets whose creative meeting point is Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone. (Photo: external source)

A commitment to literature and accessibility

Reflecting its commitment to promoting literature and reading, the Editora Nacional is making all books available at its stand in the Editorial Pavilion at FILSD 2024. Prices range from 40 to 400 Dominican pesos, ensuring accessibility for all attendees.

With an extensive catalog and a celebration of literary excellence, Margarita Marmolejos and the Editora Nacional continue to shape the Dominican Republic’s cultural landscape, making FILSD 2024 a landmark event for readers, writers, and scholars alike.