Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LeaLA brings four days of authors, art and book selling to LA
Livetta Ruvalcaba helps LeaLA promote the book fair.
(
From LeaLA Instagram account.
)
The LeaLA Spanish language book fair kicks off Thursday morning at L.A. Plaza de Cultura y Artes next to Olvera Street in downtown L.A.
The four-day event will feature children’s performers and authors speaking about topics ranging from mental health and fanzines to teen development.
Book distributors also will offer a wide variety of books. Panel discussions will include invited authors from Mexico, Chile and the U.S., among other countries. Presenters include participants in a bilingual anthology of poets from the U.S. and Mexico, among them hector son of hector — his writing name.
Support for LAist comes from
“Me speaking Spanish here in California is me speaking as an American. If I speak Spanish, that doesn't make me a foreigner,” he said.
He grew up in Long Beach and said the book fair is an important affirmation of Spanish-speaking culture in the U.S.
Other invited authors include Alicia Kozameh from Argentina, who's written about her time in jail during her country's fascist dictatorship.
Me speaking Spanish here in California is me speaking as an American. If I speak Spanish, that doesn't make me a foreigner.
— hector son of hector, poet
L.A.-based Univision meteorologist Connie Schulte is scheduled to talk about her children’s books, which focus on the world’s environmental challenges.
LeaLA, which is free, is organized by the same group that puts together the massive Guadalajara International Book Fair in November.
A full list of presenters is here. The day-by-day list of events is here.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
UCLA and University of California leaders are fighting Trump’s demands for a $1.2 billion settlement over a litany of accusations, including that the campus permits antisemitism. -
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research. -
Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best. -
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings.
Best of LAist