By Lilliam Rivera, L.A. Times

LéaLA, the largest Spanish-language literary festival in the United States, marks its

 return to Los Angeles this weekend after a year’s hiatus. With more than 300 literary imprints represented and over 90 book events from May 15-17 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, LéaLA will once again be at the forefront of showcasing Spanish-language books through readings, panel discussions, theater productions and more.

Founded in 2011 by the University of Guadalajara Foundation as an extension, in part, of the Guadalajara International Book Fair, LéaLA had steady annual growth through 2013, with more than 80,000 visiting the fair that year. However, despite that success, the festival’s founders were forced to cancel LéaLA last year after they were unable to secure the necessary government funding from Mexico.

“It was more than a financial problem — it was a coincidence that in Mexico at that time, the government had changed. This happened in Los Angeles as well with a new mayor,” says LéaLA Director Marisol Schulz Manaut. “We had to knock on doors all over again.”

Now biannual, the fair continues to target Spanish-speaking Latinos and those wanting to pass the language on to the next generation, as well as Spanish-language enthusiasts, Schulz said. Read Rest of Article Here

Where: Los Angeles Convention Center

Date: Today, Friday-Sunday

Time: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Address: 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles

Website: wwwlea-la.com