Marisol Schultz: ‘We are Facing an Uncertain Situation, But We Appeal to the Nobility of the Event.’

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It’s now in full adolescence. The Léa-LA Book Festival turns 14 this year, taking firm steps but facing a unique situation in its fourteen-year history: anti-immigration raids in the streets and the fear among the Latino community of going outside.

“We appeal to the nobility of the event. As a foundation of the University of Guadalajara, we’re not looking for confrontation; we go to the festival to bring an educational and cultural world that benefits the Latino community. We reaffirm our commitment to the Spanish language, because that was our goal from the beginning. We’re facing an uncertain situation—we don’t know exactly what to expect,” says Marisol Schultz, the festival’s director.

The Léa-LA festival has been steadily growing in Los Angeles, bringing numerous writers, musicians, and artists every year to engage in dialogue with the Latino community. It has worked closely with the city’s Central Library and with LAUSD to attract children and teenagers to its special programming offered each year.

This year, Los Angeles has been one of the cities hardest hit by immigration raids carried out under President Donald Trump, resulting in countless conflicts in the streets and workplaces.

“We know things are tough. People are afraid, and rightfully so. For us, this is the time to support the community,” adds Schultz.

This year, they will carry out a two-day program dedicated to children and youth at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, featuring private events closed to the general public. The last two days of the festival will be open to the public, and Schultz hopes people will take the necessary precautions.

“We don’t have a political agenda,” the director reiterates.

For Schultz, literature is an excellent opportunity to find a space of freedom that allows us to travel, to visit other worlds we didn’t get to live in, like Julius Caesar’s Rome or ancient Egypt.

“Through books, we can access that immortality. Literature gives us that—not just one book,” she adds.

The fair’s motto this year is “Let’s Build Peace Together,” which reflects the spirit of the event. The fair will take place from September 25 to 28 at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes.

For more information: https://lea-la.com/