Opening Reception: Sunday, November 9, 2008, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Performer: Mari Carmen Vasquez-Accordion Journey
Individual receptions: Mon., Nov. 10, 2008 – Fri. Nov. 14, 2008, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

International VIllage
N.E. 3rd Street and 1st Avenue

Join our international hosts as they open their countries’ pavilions to showcase their literature, culture and traditions.  Sample typical foods and enjoy live entertainment. This year, each International Pavilion will open one night during the week, offering refreshments before the evening’s events. Monday, Argentina; Tuesday, Spain; Wednesday, South Africa; Thursday, Brazil; Friday, Francophone (France, French-speaking Canada, Haiti, Belgium and Switzerland) and Egypt

Live! At the World Stage

Friday, November 14, 2008
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Wolfson Dancers
11:00 – 12:00 p.m. Wolfson Jazz Ensemble Directed by Mike Di Liddo
12:00 – 12:30 p.m. Parade
12:30 – 2:15 p.m. Mas Canosa Middle School Band and Spanish Dancers, presented by the Spain Pavilion
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. New World School of the Arts Dancers

Saturday, November 15, 2008
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Brazilian Voices, courtesy of the Brazil Pavilion
11:00 – 12:00 p.m. Los Araumas Conjunto Folklorico, courtesy of the Argentina Pavilion
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Ifé-Ilé Afro-Cuban Dance Company
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Fiallos & Ulliearri
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Violin by Carlos Jaquez
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Djembes n Jazz African Drums
4:00 – 4:40 p.m. Inspired dance, courtesy of the
Francophone Pavilion

Sunday, November 16, 2008
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Artistic performance, courtesy of the Egypt Pavilion
11:00 – 12:00 p.m. Drumming presentation by the South Africa Pavilion
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Peter Betan’s New Age Music
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Ruben Gonzalez Sax
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Escuela de Danza de Fina Escayola
3:30 – 4:00 p.m. Inspired dance, courtesy of the Francophone Pavilion
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Grupo Encuentro

Egypt
celebrating the cultural wealth of an ancient civilization

Egypt is one of the major cradles of civilization, with a history spanning more than 5000 years. A country of 75 million people, its natural and manmade treasures — from the fabled Nile River to the vast Sahara desert and the monuments looming over the sands at Giza, Karnak and the Valley of Kings — are some of the wonders of our world.
Egypt’s capital, Cairo, is the most populous city in Africa, and was home to Nobel Laureate Naguib Mahfouz, the first Arabic-language writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
The Egypt Pavilion, opening on November 9, will showcase this country’s history and culture, including the urban life of its cafés, the work of crafts people, its poetry, stories, music and more.
The pavilion highlights, and is part of, the culminating activities of The Big Read Egypt/US project of The Florida Center for the Literary Arts. 
Join us for an exciting week of activities, including panel discussions on women’s voices in Egyptian literature­­­ and on the future of the Arabic literary world; a lecture on the Beaux-Arts movement in Egypt; and a screening of the
documentary Cleopatra: Woman of Power and other films.
Fri., Nov. 14, is Egypt Night in the International
Village. Please come to our reception, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m., and stay for a screening of Umm Kulthum, a ­documentary about the legendary Egyptian singer. This film is by Michol Goldman, and is narrated by Omar Sharif.

 

Brazil
featuring the state of Minas Gerais

Minas Gerais is one of the twenty six states of Brazil. With an area a little bigger than France, it is the fourth largest by area and the second most populous in the Federation. From rolling green hills and river valleys filled with coffee plantations and cattle farms, to rocky, mineral rich forestlands and vast open savannahs, this state is diverse. Of all places in Brazil, Minas Gerais is the most dominated by Portuguese culture. That flavor spills over into the cuisine, from the comfort food of pão de queijo, to cachaça, the national drink of Brazil.
The wealth of Minas Gerais lies not only in its legendary mines, which originally lured the gold and gem-bedazzled Portuguese, but in the quality of the minds fostered there. Though Brazil is the fifth-largest country in the world, many of its most famous writers hail from Minas Gerais.
The Brazil Pavilion this year celebrates four extraordinary Brazilian writers and milestones: the 100th anniversary of the death of Machado de Assis, considered the greatest Brazilian writer of all time; the 100th anniversary of the birth of João Guimarães Rosa, the most important Brazilian writer born in the 20th century; the poetry of Minas Gerais-native Carlos Drummond de Andrade and the life and work of another native of the state, Fernando Sabino.
Discover the cultural diversity and richness of Minas Gerais by watching the videos, films and musical selections presented everyday in the “Minas are many!” segment. Browse photographer Paulo Laborne’s Minas photos exhibit. Meet award winning authors, who will participate in the Second Brazilian Literary Program: Nélida Piñon, Angelo Machado, João Almino, Luís Giffoni, Silviano Santiago and Wander Melo Miranda. Listen to readings by Adriana Lisboa, Andrey do Amaral, Beti Rozen, Diva Dorothy A. Carneiro and Luis Orsini.
Sample Brazilian treats and buy Brazilian books and handicrafts. Participate in fun programs for children and adults. Enjoy the sounds of Minas Gerais, with a live show with Ramatis Moraes and Brazilian singer Rose Max, and contributions from the work of Milton Nascimento, Toninho Horta, Beto Guedes, Skank, and others.
Don’t Forget: Thurs., Nov. 13, is Brazil Night in the International Village. Please come to our reception, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

 

Spain
celebrating the richness of Spanish culture and the environment

Spanish is now the official language of 21 countries. Roughly 400 million people speak Spanish around the world, including more than 38 millions in the United States. Annually, some 20,000 students travel to Spain, the cradle of the Spanish language, to expand their knowledge about its history and culture.
Spain has a stunning natural beauty, including breathtaking mountains, beaches, rivers and well-preserved ancient Spanish cities with their rich architectural heritage. It is a Mediterranean linchpin between Europe, Africa and the Middle East. It is also the birthplace of the modern novel, Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra.
The Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain in Miami, along with the Spanish Cultural Center, the Ministry of Education and Tourism of the Embassy of Spain are pleased to welcome you to the Spain Pavilion at the Miami Book Fair International 2008.
This year’s pavilion highlights the importance of the Spanish language and focuses on the environment. The Ministry of Tourism and the Cultural Center will present videos, literary, musical and theatrical activities, and distribute information on the environment in Spain. The Ministry of Education will coordinate a literature and painting contest for children under the environmental slogan “All for the Mother Earth”. The best works will be awarded on Sat., Nov. 15, at 11 a.m. The Institute of Foreign Trade of Spain and the Federation of Spanish Publishers’ Guilds will be distributing copies of the Essential Guide to Read in Spanish to the first 1000 visitors.
Tues., Nov. 11, is Spain Night in the International Village. Please come to our reception, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

 

Le Pavillon Francophone
celebrating the diversity of francophone culture through graphic novels

Kicking off its second successful year at the Miami Book Fair International, the Francophone Pavilion (Pavillon Francophone) proudly opens its doors to the public on November 9, 2008 with a thought-provoking program focusing on literary productions penned in the French language. Conceived as an internationally-focused artistic and intellectual platform aimed at fostering dialogue through the expansion of emerging ideas, the Francophone Pavilion is the result of a long-term collaboration between the Consulate General of Canada in Miami, the Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance and the Cultural Services of the French Consulate in Miami. This year’s innovative program highlights the diversity of the French idiom and of its literature by exploring one of its most underestimated aspects: the graphic novel.
Graphic novels represent one of the most dynamic and artistic mediums of our time, each with a distinct style and personal themes which explore new universes and complex themes while showcasing the depth of human emotion. To accurately depict the ongoing innovations within this exciting genre, and highlight the contributions made to this field through the French language, Francophone Pavillion organizers have assembled some of the leading French-language graphic novel authors from around the world, including: Régis Loisel, of Canada, Mohamed Aouamri, of France, Teddy Keser Mombrun, of Haiti, Ralph Penel, of Haiti, Yves Swolfs, of Belgium and Alex Baladi, of Switzerland.
Further enriching the discussion will be a compendium of events including
conferences with the invited Francophone authors, student workshops addressing comic book themes, autograph sessions as well as an entire day dedicated to educational comic books. Also scheduled is a viewing of the animated film ”Triplettes de Belleville” by Sylvain Chomet, as well as continuous showings of short cartoons.
Join us for an opening night reception and concert under the stars on Friday, Nov. 14, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Francophone Pavilion located within the International Village. We look forward to seeing you there!
Bienvenue à tous! On vous attend en grand nombre!

 

South Africa
celebrating the richness and diversity of South African culture

Visit the South African pavilion, and get to know a country of endless fascination and great beauty. Journey with friends from the South African Tourism Board, and explore the extraordinary wonders of a country that stretches from the Limpopo River in the north to the southern tip of blustery Cape Agulhas, and from the bleak Atlantic seaboard, to the lushly subtropical shores of the Indian Ocean. Discover a country which embraces a variety of ethnic groups and cultures and is steeped in deep tradition and history.
Visitors to the South African pavilion will have the opportunity to meet and talk with internationally acclaimed author, Sindiwe Magona, reading from her new book Beauty’s Gift. Let Mital Shah, author of Well Souled, share with you the beauty, style and soul of South Africa as she experienced it. Join us for a night at the movies; sample tasty South African treats; and learn more about one of the greatest and most loved statesmen of the past century, as we gather to watch Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation.
Move to the beat of the Mahala Township Band and shuffle along with the Lesole Dance Troop as they perform their famous gumboot dance. Listen to the haunting music of the highly acclaimed Soweto Gospel Choir and allow yourself to get carried away with the vibrant, pulsating sounds of kwaito. And learn about South African arts and crafts, which hold a special place in the country’s culture.
South African Airways will be giving away two free tickets to South Africa on Sun., Nov. 16. Visit the South African pavilion to learn more about this fantastic opportunity.
Wed., Nov. 12, is South Africa Night in the International Village. Please come to our reception, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

 

Argentina
land of culture, writers and books

Argentina lies at the southernmost tip of South America. Its diverse regions span the Andean high plateau through the fertile Pampas to frozen Tierra del Fuego. Cosmopolitan cities, industrial centers and vast expanses of land for cattle grazing and agriculture have spurred an energetic tourism industry. Argentina’s culture, forged from a marriage of diverse European immigration and AmerIndian traditions, has produced a modern and cosmopolitan country lauded for its substantial contributions to Latin American literature.
Argentina’s literary wealth is on display in the Argentina Pavilion through the texts of novelists, storytellers, essayists and poets who embody Argentina’s long literary heritage as one of the most important editorial centers in the Spanish-speaking world.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship; the Consulate General of the Republic of Argentina in Miami; and the Argentine Cultural Center are pleased to welcome you to visit our pavilion, where you will find an arresting selection of recent work published by prestigious Argentine publishing houses.
Meet authors Marga Clavell, Armando Ribas, and Diego Álvarez Rivera. Enjoy the music of Los Araumas, a folkloric ensemble from Mendoza, appearing on stage, as well as an exhibit of Argentinean arts and crafts. Watch Ver para Leer (See to Read), a successful Argentinean television program directed by Juan Sasturain, dedicated to literary critique and dissemination. A language competition, in Spanish, will be held during the Fair, with prizes awarded (prior registration required).
Mon., Nov. 10, is Argentina Night in the International Village. Please come to our reception, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.