By: Jenny Castro
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/19/24 – The largest Spanish language book fair festival in the United States is launching its 9th edition beginning today in Los Angeles at 4:00 pm with an opening ceremony and reception at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. The festival formally known as “Guadalajara International Book Fair and Literary Festival LeáLA” will feature more than 25 established authors mostly from Mexico who will participate in panels and so forth. Director of LéaLA Marisol Schulz has been with the organization since 2010, and the director for over 10 years. Schulz has also been in the publishing industry for over 30 years and is a Spanish language literary expert who champions bilingualism. Speaking of her career and education, she explains further, “I was born in Mexico City, and studied history at the Mexican National University, UNAM,” said Director Marisol Schulz. Adding, “And ever since I was studying and as a young girl, I was a reader and loved books as I’ve always had a book by my side since I can remember.” Schulz eventually went on to become a publisher for several magazines and has been a sought-after speaker and presenter at multiple symposiums. As the Director of LéaLA , she has been able to make a strong impact in her role and dedicates herself to promoting Spanish literacy for children and adults. For the book fair expect plenty of festivities as Schulz explains, “Well, it is a book fair and a literary festival and expect some wonderful authors. These men and women mostly come from Mexico, but they come from everywhere as well and are the most amazing writers in the Spanish speaking world. And they come to participate in panels, and they come to participate in book signings,” Schulz said.
Tomorrow, attendees can expect various interactive activities, “It’s aimed to have activities for kids and young adults because we are working with the Unified School District (U.S.D) of Los Angeles. So, they are bringing kids to interact with the authors. They will have the chance to talk with the authors and participate in workshops as well as building handcrafts all around books,” Schulz said.
Activities for children and families will begin today and tomorrow, and the weekend will feature more than 10 panels discussing such topics pertaining to literature and music while food will be provided. A film screening will also take place and the event is free. “People can come and sit and watch whatever they want to watch. And at the same time, we have 40 exhibitors selling books in Spanish,” Schulz added. Coinciding with Hispanic Heritage Month, the festival aims to educate and promote the Spanish language. Schulz adds, “We come together as a university that has a foundation here in Los Angeles, and our goal is to bring culture, education, and amusement to people in Spanish and to celebrate the Spanish language and traditions and our identity.” Advice to other Latinas out there interested in the world of writing and publishing, Schulz offers the following advice, “Well it’s very important that they continue reading in Spanish because it’s important not to lose their language and identity even though everything they may write might mostly be in English, and that’s okay. It’s very important to have two languages at the same time, and if you have two languages you have double opportunities in many ways.”
WHO:
* Carlos González Gutiérrez, Cónsul General of Mexico in Los Angeles
* Marisol Schulz, Director of LéaLA – Spanish Book Fair & Literary Festival
* Gustavo Padilla, President, University of Guadalajara Foundation USA
* Alberto M. Carvalho, LAUSD Superintendent
* Madeline Peña, Principal Librarian, Los Angeles Public Library
* Ricardo Villanueva, General Rector of the University of Guadalajara
WHEN:
Thursday, September 19, 2024
3:30 PM – Press Check-in
4:00 PM – Opening Ceremony
5:00 PM – El Mariachi performance
7:00 PM – Welcome Cocktail Reception
WHERE:
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
501 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
