Literature and music from the Americas showed some of its best talents at the 7th Annual ILF, 2019

Literature and music from the Americas showed some of its best talents at the 7th Annual International Literature Festival (ILF) this past November 5 to 7 in Houston and San Antonio.

Under the leadership of the Casa Cultural de las Americas (CCA) and with the collaboration of Rice University and Houston Public Library, the renowned and international singer, recipient of the Latin Grammy for Musical Excellence, Tania Libertad, along with esteemed writers and poets from 8 countries of the American continent, engaged the public with 3 days of literary culture.

The multi-country writers included in ILF-2019 were Clemente Mamani from Bolivia, Marilene Felinto from Brazil, Ignacio Carvajal from Costa Rica, Maya Islands from Cuba, Antonio Preciado from Ecuador, Jose Angel Leyva and Luis Armenta Malpica from Mexico, Yolanda Castaño from Galicia, Spain, and Tino Villanueva representing the United States. The opening of this bilingual literary meeting took place on November 5 at the Grand Hall of Rice University, where Dr. David Medina, Director of Multicultural Community Relations, welcomed all attendees, followed by a panel of the participating the authors in a discussion about the Empowerment and Purpose of the Arts. During the literature talks, the artists were presenting with a Proclamation from the City of Houston. In its gran finale, hundreds of spectators enjoyed the unique and wonderful experience of the delightful Tania Libertad, who proved her outstanding worldwide career as leading interpreter of Latin American popular music. Together with its musical director, Caridad Herrera Gonzalez, Tania Libertad dazzled everyone with her majestic voice and artistic talent that included an interpretation of the aria Ave Maria de Schubert, songs by Facundo Cabral, Brazilian folk song and traditional boleros among others.

On November 6, the public had the opportunity to attend a meeting with the participating authors in the Houston Public Libraries historic Julia Ideson Building, where the artists read and discussed their works in English and Spanish.

In San Antonio, the festival activities were held on November 7 at St. Mary's University, Law Alumni Room, with the participation of Dr. Gwendolyn Diaz Ridgeway as master of ceremonies. Also in attendance was Erika Prosper, director of H-E-B Customer Insights. Accompanying the poetry was music and a lively cocktail. Alongside the festival, the writers Visited International Leadership Of Texas Katy-Westpark High School and The Awty International School HOUSTON to share their literary experiences and knowledge with the students

Like all the activities of Casa Cultural de las Americas, the International Literature Festival is always a free and public event. We appreciate the contribution of our sponsors and especially thanks to all our volunteers who each year with their generosity and love make it possible for us to showcase the many different literary styles of the Americas with the voice of their creators.