The twentieth edition of the International Book Fair of Panama (FIL 24) to be held at the ATLAPA Convention Center from 13 to 18 August next under the motto 'The language that embraces us' is not only an economic motor but also a reflection of our identity sustained the national director of The Arts of the Ministry of Culture, Isabel Burgos.

During the launch event of FIL 24, Burgos represented MiCultura's incumbent, Giselle González Villarrué and added that as a country, Panama shares "with the books the possibility of being a door, port, place of passage, place to root, yard and school."

During the fair, the Ministry of Culture will propose the awarded literary works at the different literary competitions organized by the institution and will be awarded to winners of contest.

There will be a "stand" or MiCultura pavilion where national authors will be able to promote their works as well as and talk so that the public can interacted with emerging and established writers.

The International Book Fair was dedicated to Spain this year and will be suitable for an event where the literary community meets to celebrate the written word, to share ideas and to enrich our cultural landscape, Burgos said.

For the Ministry of Culture this edition will be "a tribute to the creativity of our writers, to the talent of our publishers and to the commitment of all to keep alive the flame of the passion for reading."

The Spanish ambassador to Panama, Guzmán Palacios expressed his satisfaction with his country's distinction and added that through the Spanish Ministry of Culture there will be an "as representative as possible of different literary genres."

Meanwhile, Orit Btesh, president of the Panamanian Chamber of Book, expressed his gratitude for MiCultura's support in organizing this event and added that more than 80 writers are expected to participate among Panamanian and foreign people.