Organized by the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, LéaLA has become the most ambitious platform in the U.S. dedicated to Spanish-language books and thought. This year’s theme, “Let’s Build Peace Together,” underscores the festival’s commitment to promoting dialogue, cultural pride, and community connection through literature and the arts.

Created for all ages

Over four days, visitors can enjoy a completely free program featuring:

• Author readings and conversations with acclaimed writers from Mexico, the U.S., and across Ibero-America, including José Ignacio Valenzuela (“El Chascas”), Xavier Velasco, María Baranda, Toño Malpica, Benito Taibo, and Jorge F. Hernández.
• Film screenings, such as La Falla by filmmaker Alana Simões, exploring the emotional lives of children in rural Jalisco.
• The beloved Poetry Hub, where voices from both sides of the border share their work in an interactive setting led by Gaspar Orozco and Ilana Luna.
• Children’s workshops, expanded this year to ten sessions in partnership with the University of Guadalajara’s Letras para Volar initiative, offering storytelling, music, and creative activities to inspire a love of reading among young audiences.
• Educational panels within the Forum of Ideas, focused on the transformative power of education and bilingual learning, with leaders from LAUSD and academic institutions in Mexico and California.

“Our 2025 theme, ‘Let’s Build Peace Together,’ reflects our mission to create spaces for thinking, reflecting, and growing in harmony,” said Marisol Schulz Manaut, LéaLA’s general director.

Gustavo Padilla, president of the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, emphasized the festival’s role in education: “The Forum of Ideas is designed to promote equity, inclusion, and international academic collaboration. It’s about building bridges through language and learning.”

With more than 40 publishers and the University of Guadalajara’s Carlos Fuentes Bookstore on-site, attendees can browse and purchase a wide variety of Spanish-language titles.

Since its first edition in 2011, LéaLA has drawn tens of thousands of readers, students, and families, building a loyal following in Los Angeles. With support from community institutions, educational partners, and sponsors like DirecTV, the 2025 festival marks a milestone tenth edition.

Festival Details

? LéaLA – Spanish-Language Book Fair and Literary Festival
? September 25–28, 2025 | 9 AM – 7 PM daily
? LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, 501 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
? www.lea-la.com
? All activities are free and open to the public

From thought-provoking discussions to hands-on workshops and live performances, LéaLA offers something for everyone—whether you’re a lifelong reader, an educator, or a family looking for enriching cultural activities.

Come celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by making books, stories, and creativity part of your weekend in the heart of Los Angeles.

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As in previous years, LéaLA will bring together writers and creators from Mexico, the United States, and other Ibero-American countries to engage in discussions with the community over four dynamic days. The event will feature free activities, including discussions on literature, contemporary thought, cinema, gastronomy, comedy, music and film. 

Cristina Rivera Garza, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Invincible Summer of Liliana, will lead an emotional collective performance, highlighting passages from her book and raising awareness of gender violence and the urgent need to recognize the signs of such violence.

On Friday, September 20, there will be a screening of A Day Without a Mexican, a film marking its 20th anniversary, which remains relevant for its sharp take on immigration. The filmmakers, Yareli Arizmendi and Sergio Arau, will be present. This dynamic duo will also present the show Tocada y Fuga on Saturday, September 21. This performance ingeniously integrates famous classical melodies in Arau’s unique style, set within a story of betrayal and justice, featuring rhythms of ska, salsa, blues, and even punk.

“We invite everyone to join LéaLA and help fulfill its mission of celebrating our Latin roots, which creates a stronger bond among us, uniting us under one banner: Spanish,” said Marisol Schulz Manaut, Executive Director of LéaLA.

LéaLA 2024 will also feature discussions on cinema, literature, the writing process, and the history of Mexico and its gastronomy, including a talk titled, De chile, dulce y de manteca: How Do Mexicans Eat in California? This conversation will delve into traditions, history, innovation, and adaptation.

The complete program and list of invited personalities will be available on the event’s website, www.lea-la.com.

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