After two years of not holding the Annual Festival Celebrating Words ) due to the covid pandemic-17, returns to the heart of the San Fernando Valley, in the city of Pacoima, the traditional event, an opportunity for children to receive free educational books and take a bath of creativity.
“The 17º Annual Celebrating Words Festival marks an important milestone for us at Tía Chucha’s. Between and 2022, we have given away more than 3,650 books”, said Karina Ceja, coordinator of the festival.
“This effort demonstrates the continuous commitment of Tía Chucha’s to make make literature available to everyone in our communities.”
He added that the books they have chosen are vehicles to spread and develop awareness, self-awareness and connection to through culturally relevant titles, focused on social justice and inclusion.
Tita Chucha’s is a non-profit bookstore and cultural center located in Sylmar . It was founded in 2003 by Los Angeles author and poet laureate Luis J. Rodríguez.
The mission of Tía Chucha’s Cultural Center is to transform the community in the northeast San Fernando Valley, through ancestral knowledge, the arts, literacy and creative engagement.
The festival will take place on 21 May from 2 to 7 pm on the campus of Vaughn G3 Academy High School located at 11200 Herrick Ave. Pacoima, CA 91331.
Started in 2006, “Celebrating words: written, interpreted y cantado” is Tía Chucha’s Centro’s annual outdoor community festival, held each summer in Sylmar.
The only literacy and performing arts festival in Los Angeles City Council District 7, featuring musicians, bands, spoken word artists, theater artists and dance groups, as well as a variety of local vendors, including Tía Chucha’s bookstore.
Ceja added that the festival provides an accessible and dynamic space that encourages creativity and supports intellectual growth and healing, through the arts and literacy.
“Access to free books in the area is non-existent and the goal is to be the leading event to offer books of quality and culturally relevant in the hands of the community”.
Added that the Celebrating Word Festivals is intentionally designed to be a literacy resource that supports the community in becoming active readers and owners of personal libraries.
“In this edition of the festival 1 will be given away, books for all ages, in English, Spanish and bilingual. The books will be delivered in order of arrival”.
Added that there will also be free art illustrations, and the second edition of the coloring book with local artists.
“This event is for families and for all ages. All schedule and parking details will be available on the website.”
Recommended to visit the Book Giveaway Catalog here, to access all the book selections for the giveaway.
There will also be booths for creative participation with open-air public art workshops for all ages.
Some of the workshops are:
- Healing Through Writing by co-authors Jesús “JFLOW” Flores and Ángel “SGN” Romero
- Narration woven through Quiltmaking by Mónica Juárez
- Polaroid Lift with Erick Iñiguez
- Paper cards and earrings workshop with D Castro
- Light Up Clothespin Craft by DIY Girls
- Community Mural by Desiboo Creations
Print those things! Celebrating words in ink and block printing with Little Cards with Love
- Plant care workshop with Mr. List
There will be a craft market and vendors of food and handmade art.
Several book artists will attend for coloring, writers, poster artists, musicians and poets.
It will have a resource fair with the participation of organizations such as Project Rebound, Dream Center, Plaza Comunitaria Sinaloa, Pacoima Beautiful, Pacoima Neighborhood Council , Helping Hands Resource Center, Climate Resolve Latino Outdoors and VACAcicleta.
The sponsors of the Festival Celebrating Words are the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the Los Angeles Educational Association, First 5 LA, Valley Presbyterian Hospital, Pacoima Neighborhood Council, the Vaughn Next Century Learning Center, and WE RISE, an initiative of the Department of Los Angeles County Mental Health fostering wellness and healing through art, connection, community engagement, and creative expression. For more information, visit werise.la
The festival also offers volunteer opportunities for all ages. If you are interested send an email to bookstore@tiachucha.org