Dominican Writing Festival (FESD) celebrates Caribbean literary brilliance

Santo Domingo.- The third edition of the Dominican Writing Festival (FESD), organized by the multicultural platform CuentaRD, is set to electrify the capital on March 8 and 9, 2025. Held at the Atrio Central of the Acrópolis Center on Winston Churchill Avenue, this year’s festival takes on a bold new theme—celebrating Caribbean literature under the slogan, “Contamos nuestras grandes historias” (We Tell Our Great Stories).

The event aims to broaden the literary horizon by not only spotlighting the work of Dominican writers but also by embracing the voices of Caribbean authors. Festival founder and Cultural Director Roxanna Marte explains that FESD has long been dedicated to elevating local literature, and this edition pushes the envelope further by incorporating regional narratives, discussions and creative expressions that reflect the rich tapestry of Caribbean culture.

This year’s program promises a dynamic mix of activities designed to engage both the literary community and the general public. Over the two-day event, attendees will enjoy a series of panels, colloquiums, debates, storytelling sessions, and open-mic segments featuring more than twenty-five distinguished guests. These include renowned writers, reading promoters, bookstagrammers, audiovisual literary producers, and film critics, all converging to discuss a variety of contemporary literary themes.

Among the highlights, a panel will explore the evolving adaptations of Latin American and Caribbean literature into international cinema, while another session delves into the realms of terror and suspense within regional narratives. Additional dialogues will tackle topics ranging from the impact of artificial intelligence on the reading experience to the enduring legacy of historical memory in contemporary Dominican literature.

Festival organizers have also planned a series of engaging activities for the public, including book raffles and literary contests. An area will be dedicated to book sales, where local bookstores, publishing houses, and featured authors will offer their latest works to eager readers. These efforts aim not only to cultivate a vibrant reading culture but also to reinforce the crucial role of the writer as a pillar of society.

The event is bolstered by the support of key cultural sponsors. Official sponsors such as Autopaniagua, Dominicana Libro & Culture Festival, and Dominican Writers, along with LRP Servicios Editoriales, Río de Oro Editores S.R.L, Isla Negra Editores, Hypermedia Editorial, Grupo Planeta, Alcaldía del Distrito Nacional, Navegante Urbano Agencia Creativa, LBStudiográfico, and individual sponsors Maritza Florentino and Kelsy Wilmot, have joined forces to ensure the festival’s success. Their backing underscores a shared commitment to nurturing local talent and elevating Caribbean literature on the global stage.

CuentaRD, which officially launched on June 21, 2018, has since evolved into a vital cultural project that nurtures over 3,000 writers across various genres through workshops, open-mic sessions, conferences, and festivals. With its consistent dedication to enhancing the intellectual, cultural, and social fabric of the Dominican Republic, FESD stands out as a unique event that fosters dialogue, debate and the sharing of powerful stories.

Registration for the festival is now open via the official Instagram account @fesd.rd and at the information desk located in the Atrio Central. With free admission and a robust schedule of literary activities, the Dominican Writing Festival is poised to be a landmark event that celebrates the transformative power of storytelling in the Caribbean and beyond.