Let's Read L.A.

The sounds of laughter, chatter, and pages being flipped demonstrated the enthusiastic expressions of the estimated 500, young and old attendees at the fourth annual LéaLA, also known as Read LA, in the South Exhibit Hall H of the Los Angeles Convention Center on May 16.

This was LéaLA’s Fourth Annual Spanish Language book fair, which was organized by the University of Guadalajara Mexico, and managed by the University of Guadalajara Foundation in the United States.

The annual tradition of this book fair is that a Latin American city to be represented. This year, Mexico was the chosen city and the vendors demonstrated its flare through their art, music, and books.

The objective of the fair was to promote Spanish literacy, culture, art, and education through this free event to the vast Latino/a community in the Los Angeles region.

The three-day event took place from the 15-17 of May and from the opening start of 10 am to 7pm there were different features: book signings, book conferences, children’s story corner, and open spaces for the people to have dialogues on topics about culture, race, and history.

Important Latin American authors and artists came to talk about their books and research. Topics ranging from the war on drug cartels to self-care were prevalent in the book fair.

Lydia Cacho, a journalist, writer, and activist spoke about her book, “Sex and Love in Times of Crisis” she encouraged readers to pick up her book because it will help people become self-aware and happy about one's body and image.

“LéaLA encourages young and old to read and be proud of his or her Hispanic roots and heritage” commented Juan Valle, 20, college student from East Los Angeles College.

During one of the poetry readings, the audience members asked how to nurture the idea of Latino/a hybridization. An older man, Joel Loranzo said, “ Parents should invest in their children, not through monetary incentives, but rather to spend time with them reading and talking about their roots, traditions, and history.”

When asked about whether or not books were being becoming obsolete due to e-books and downloadable PDF’s, Lydia Hernández, a middle aged mother, said, “Unless we start reading together with our children and teaching them of the importance of literature and the benefits it has for their imagination, books will last.”

LéaLA was not only was informative but also interactive, one could be looking at a book 36 % ​and end up meeting a famous artist, like Amandititita, a Latina pop culture icon whose songs like “Metrosexual” or “ Te crees la muy muy,” You Think You Are All That were featured in Mexican and U.S. radio stations.

Aside from the books and the fun there were also non-profit organizations such as Cesar Chavez Foundation, which provided educational programs and legal services for families.

LéaLA is a remarkable experience for bibliophiles, artists, children, and people of all ages. The music and readings innovated young and old with ideas and concepts about the Latino/a identity and culture.

#books #Literarcy #Latinoculture #Education #Poetry