Manolo Patrocinio denies the lack of interest in reading in the Dominican Republic
Within the framework of the 2026 International Book Fair, the owner of Libro Reliquias, Manolo Patrocinio, raised his voice to defend the reading habits of Dominicans. Contrary to the popular belief that there is apathy toward literature, the bookseller stated that a large part of the population, especially the young audience, maintains a close and constant bond with books.
During the second day of the country’s most important cultural event, Patrocinio highlighted the relevance of this space for intellectual growth. Although he described the initial commercial movement as average, he remained optimistic about the influx of visitors and expects sales to increase significantly in the coming days.
A wonderful experience, because this is our world, the world of culture, the world of education, the world of books.
Manolo Patrocinio, owner of Libro Reliquias.
A young and active community
To support his position, Patrocinio pointed out that his own bookstore has witnessed an encouraging phenomenon. Through a WhatsApp group that brings together about 250 readers, he has been able to verify that there is a diverse audience, composed of students and young people who not only seek to acquire copies, but also to build their own personal libraries.
- Interest in classical literature and novels is notable among Dominican youth.
- Social media has served as a platform to make a growing reading community visible.
- There is a real demand for works that transcends stereotypes about cultural consumption in the country.
The businessman was emphatic in rejecting negative generalizations about Dominican society. According to his experience, the problem does not lie in a lack of generalized interest, but in the particular habits of certain sectors. “It is not true that Dominicans do not read; some do not read,” the bookseller stated.
With an eye on the closing of the 2026 International Book Fair, Patrocinio maintains faith and hope that the flow of attendees will continue to increase, thus consolidating the success of this gathering dedicated to the promotion of literature and knowledge in the country.
