Fairs And Festivals

LéaLA, the premier Spanish Book Fair & Literary Festival, returns from September 19-22, 2024, at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes located at 501 N. Main Street in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Organized by the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, this year’s event, themed Building Peace Together, celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring the rich traditions, language, and culture of the Latino community through literature, art, and intellectual dialogue.

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, LéaLA will highlight the profound influence of Latino heritage on global literature and culture. The event will feature a wide range of activities for all ages, including author discussions, poetry readings, film screenings, and children’s workshops. Highlights include the opening event, El Mariachi, where Juan Villoro will read his story of the same name, and a special screening celebrating the 20th anniversary of A Day Without a Mexican, with filmmakers Yareli Arizmendi and Sergio Arau in attendance. Guests will also enjoy comedy, gastronomy, and thought-provoking discussions on literature and contemporary issues.

“We invite you to join LéaLA in celebrating our Latin roots, which form a bond stronger than nationalities and unite us under a shared identity: the Spanish language,” said Marisol Schulz Manaut, Executive Director of LéaLA. “This year, as we observe Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re proud to showcase the cultural wealth and literary talent of the Spanish-speaking world.” Notable participants include Pulitzer Prize-winning Author Cristina Rivera Garza, cartoonists Jis & Trino, and writers Rosa Beltrán, Évolet Aceves, Benito Taibo, and Élmer Mendoza. This year, LéaLA will host over 40
publishers offering a wide selection of Spanish-language titles, further enriching the festival’s offerings.

Join us in this vibrant celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month through Spanish literature and culture! All activities are FREE and open to the public.

La Feria del Libro en Español y Festival Literario de Los Ángeles

La Feria del Libro en Español y Festival Literario LéaLA 2024 regresa este verano en uno de los lugares más emblemáticos de Los Ángeles, LA Plaza de la Cultura y las Artes. Durante cuatro días tendremos a las voces más importantes de nuestro idioma en diálogos abiertos a todo público.

Con el objetivo de continuar y fortalecer sus programas de difusión de la cultura y las artes para la comunidad de origen latino en la ciudad de Los Ángeles, California, la Fundación Universidad de Guadalajara USA realizará durante cuatro días en septiembre un festival literario a manera de foro abierto a las ideas y la reflexión.

LéaLA 2024 tiene como propósito la promoción de la lectura y el libro en español, así como el reconocimiento a la cultura y costumbres de la comunidad latina en Estados Unidos de Norteamérica, una población que cada vez adquiere más importancia a nivel cultural, político y económico.

Asimismo, habrá sesiones de lectura de poesía, sesiones de discusión académica y talleres infantiles a cargo del programa Letras para volar de la Universidad de Guadalajara.

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, en el corazón histórico de Los Ángeles, será la sede de todas las actividades que se realizarán del 19 al 22 de septiembre, con acceso gratuito.

Los libros de los autores participantes y una selección de títulos de interés en español para todas las edades estarán a disposición del público gracias a la participación de la Librería Carlos Fuentes de la Universidad de Guadalajara.

LéaLA 2024 es organizado por la Fundación Universidad de Guadalajara USA, con el apoyo del Legado Grodman y la colaboración del Consulado General de México en Los Ángeles, la Asociación de Egresados de la Universidad de Guadalajara en Los Ángeles, así como varias instituciones públicas y privadas de ambos lados de la frontera.

ONE BIG THING: CELEBRATING EL GRITO

What is El Grito? “El Grito de Dolores” or “The Cry of Dolores” is the name given to the annual celebration of Mexico’s Independence from Spain. “El Grito” is a reference to the call to revolt against injustice given by Mexican priest Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, in the early hours of September 16, 1810 – an event which is seen as marking the beginning of Mexico’s ten year long war for Independence. Every year, on September 15, the eve of Mexico’s Independence Day, Mexican and Latine people around the world gather to recreate this historic moment. It is a moment for Mexican and Latine people to unite and reflect on the values and traditions where our culture is rooted. September 15 is also the Independence Day for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, while September 18 is the anniversary of Chile’s independence. For that reason, September 15 marks the beginning of Latino Heritage Month in the United States, and the annual celebration of El Grito has become meaningful for many, especially in Los Angeles. Why it Matters For the last 82 years, El Grito has been one of the City’s largest events, held in Gloria Molina Grand Park and on the historic steps of Los Angeles City Hall. Los Angeles is home to the largest population of Mexican people of any city outside of Mexico City in the world, and half of our city’s residents are of Latino descent. As the son of Mexican immigrants from Zacatecas, El Grito holds a particularly special importance for me – it’s not only a celebration of Mexican independence, but also a celebration of the music, food, and traditions that make our culture and our city so special. El Grito 2024 This year, we will serve as the Chair and “Padrino” (Godfather) of this year’s Latino Heritage Month. This year’s free event will have live music, drinks, food, and family activities, in front of City Hall at Gloria Molina Grand Park, on Sunday, September 15 from 5pm-midnight.  This year’s theme for El Grito is “La Fiesta del Pueblo” (The People’s Festival) – a celebration of the working people, indigenous communities, women, and organizers who are such an integral part of the cultural identity of Los Angeles, and of the revolutionary history of the Mexican people. The event will include a free concert featuring performances by El Dasa, Lorenzo Mendez, Mariachi Divas, and Julian Torres, as well as a performance of the US National Anthem by Janet Uribe. In addition to music, this year’s celebration will feature delicious food and artisanal products from some of the city’s best street vendors with support from Community Power Collective – as well as activation booths with fun activities provided by the event’s sponsors. WHERE: Gloria Molina Grand Park, 200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 WHEN: Sunday, September 15 – 5pm-Midnight