The Mexican-American community can honor their heritage at the Nuestras Raíces tent at the third annual Tucson Festival of Books March 12 and 13.
The purpose of Nuestras Raíces, Spanish for “our roots,” is to celebrate Mexican-American authors, arts and culture.
The Pima County Public Library sponsors the program, which will be part of the book fest for the second time.
“It celebrates the diversity we have among the Mexican-American culture,” said Elizabeth Soltero, youth services librarian and Nuestras Raíces co-chair.
Some of the authors who will participate in the Nuestras Raíces activities at the book fest include Luis Alberto Urrea, Carmen Tafolla, Kathy Cano-Murillo and José Galvez. Besides author
presentations, there will also be a youth mariachi contest, folklore, games and crafts.
Nuestras Raíces first started seven years ago as an annual
celebration but has evolved into a year-long event. The Nuestras Raíces tent helps serve as a bridge between the community, the
festival and the UA, Soltero said.
“I think it’s important because it’s an opportunity to learn and connect,” she said.
The Nuestras Raíces tent is just one part of the weekend long
festivities.
"The goal is to put on a literary event that the community can be proud of and bring focus and
attention to the literacy issues and education issues that we face in southern Arizona," said Bill Viner, the event’s chairman.
About 400 authors will
participate in this year’s festival and 80,000 people are expected to attend. The Tucson Festival of Books is now the fourth largest book festival in the country.
Besides highlighting books from many genres and featuring presentations by authors, the
festival will include writing
workshops, panel discussions and a science pavilion.
"Literacy is not just about
reading and writing, but it's about education,” Viner said.
With a children’s area, four entertainment stages and food, the festival will have activities for
all ages.
The Tucson Festival of Books is funded entirely by donations. In its first two years, $350,000 was donated to community literacy organizations after expenses for the festival were paid.
Viner said he and his wife Brenda first got the idea for the festival after friends recommended they visit the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.
“We had been wanting to get involved in a large community event,” he said. “We said, ‘We think we could do something like that in Tucson.”
They took their idea to the Arizona Daily Star and the UA, who became the main sponsors of the festival. Once they signed on, the preparations began.
Now, planning the festival requires 250 people working
year-round and 1,800 volunteers for the weekend itself.
"We try to add a new little twist every year," Viner said.
One of the new events at the festival this year is the E-Reader Experience tent, where people can learn how to download, borrow and read books and newspapers electronically.
With different events happening constantly at the festival, “the atmosphere is just contagious,” Viner said.
For a complete list of exhibitors and events at the Tucson Festival of Books, visit www.tucsonfestivalofbooks.org.
For more information about Nuestras Raíces events, visit www.library.pima.gov/tucsonfestivalofbooks.
The Mexican-American community can honor their heritage at the Nuestras Raíces tent at the third annual Tucson Festival of Books March 12 and 13.
The purpose of Nuestras Raíces, Spanish for “our roots,” is to celebrate Mexican-American authors, arts and culture.
The Pima County Public Library sponsors the program, which will be part of the book fest for the second time.
“It celebrates the diversity we have among the Mexican-American culture,” said Elizabeth Soltero, youth services librarian and Nuestras Raíces co-chair.
Some of the authors who will participate in the Nuestras Raíces activities at the book fest include Luis Alberto Urrea, Carmen Tafolla, Kathy Cano-Murillo and José Galvez. Besides author presentations, there will also be a youth mariachi contest, folklore, games and crafts.
Nuestras Raíces first started seven years ago as an annual celebration but has evolved into a year-long event. The Nuestras Raíces tent helps serve as a bridge between the community, the festival and the UA, Soltero said.
“I think it’s important because it’s an opportunity to learn and connect,” she said.
The Nuestras Raíces tent is just one part of the weekend long festivities. "The goal is to put on a literary event that the community can be proud of and bring focus and attention to the literacy issues and education issues that we face in southern Arizona," said Bill Viner, the event’s chairman.
About 400 authors will participate in this year’s festival and 80,000 people are expected to attend. The Tucson Festival of Books is now the fourth largest book festival in the country.
Besides highlighting books from many genres and featuring presentations by authors, the festival will include writing workshops, panel discussions and a science pavilion.
"Literacy is not just about reading and writing, but it's about education,” Viner said.
With a children’s area, four entertainment stages and food, the festival will have activities for all ages.
The Tucson Festival of Books is funded entirely by donations. In its first two years, $350,000 was donated to community literacy organizations after expenses for the festival were paid.
Viner said he and his wife Brenda first got the idea for the festival after friends recommended they visit the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.
“We had been wanting to get involved in a large community event,” he said. “We said, ‘We think we could do something like that in Tucson.”
They took their idea to the Arizona Daily Star and the UA, who became the main sponsors of the festival. Once they signed on, the preparations began.
Now, planning the festival requires 250 people working year-round and 1,800 volunteers for the weekend itself.
"We try to add a new little twist every year," Viner said.
One of the new events at the festival this year is the E-Reader Experience tent, where people can learn how to download, borrow and read books and newspapers electronically.
With different events happening constantly at the festival, “the atmosphere is just contagious,” Viner said.
For a complete list of exhibitors and events at the Tucson Festival of Books, visit www.tucsonfestivalofbooks.org.
For more information about Nuestras Raíces events, visit www.library.pima.gov/tucsonfestivalofbooks.
