Yesterday was the opening of the National Fair of Books for Children and Young People in Xalapa. Here's a translation of the part of the article from Diario de Xalapa describing Governor Fidel Herrera Beltrán's speech. The original article is by Naldy Rodríguez and Raymundo León. See below for information on Emilio Carballido, a major Mexican playwright, a native Veracruzano, who died this year. It may surprise you.
"That this fair is dedicated to the memory of Emilio Carballido* is very significant when we read that it's said that at the present time.....one Mexican in eight has never read a book. That's terrible, and for that reason we want to nourish [the habit of] reading from childhood. And to do so, every day of this summer vacation, our libraries will be open," he said. He acknowledged the help of SNTE (the national teachers' union) and the program, "Schools Always Open" in providing increased support for this activity. He emphasized that reading was essential to learning how to triumph and to serve.
The governor invited children to enter into the world of books. He pointed out that children today identify a great deal with technology and that through books they could learn much about it.
He wanted the National Fair to commit to carrying its work into many other cities of Veracruz and said that the Veracruz Institute of Culture would be compensated for its support. He pointed out that it is through books that we gain all kinds of knowledge, and the job of this type of fair is to publicize this. He invited not just parents but everybody to visit.
The governor of the State reminded us that reading offers pleasure, enjoyment, wellbeing and happiness, and he appealed to the ethics of publishers to offer more and better materials and support for the whole of society.
Reading is as important as breathing, he said....[H]e acknowledged the presence of Deputy Hugo Alberto Vásquez Zárate in renewing the commitment of his government to present as quickly as possible to the Congress of Veracruz a state law promoting and encouraging books and reading.
He reminded everyone that Emilio Carballido was a great promoter of children's literature, and among the homages that would be offered to Carballido during this literary event would be screenings of movies based on the adventure classics the writer had so enjoyed.
"All Veracruzanos and their familes are invited, but very especially the children who can enjoy the shows that have been prepared for them. And right now, [because of our book fair] visitors who fill the city are going to be able to get a real sense of our artistic and cultural traditions. Here we are reminded that we find not only the record of our past and the foundations of the present in books, but also the foundation for the future and the means to provide education for everyone," he said.
*Emilio Carballido was a native Veracruzano (1925-2008), a member of the famous and accomplished group of writers, la Generación de los 50. A playwright and screen writer, he won numerous awards. In 2007, he had his partner of 20 years, Héctor Herrera, were, according to Wikipedia, "among the first couples to appy for a civil union following the enactment of the Mexico, D.F.'s Ley de Sociedad de Convivencia.
Two days after his death on February 11, 2008, Governor Fidel Herrera Beltrán ordered a day of mourning in the state and announced that the State Theatre and a state literary prize would be renamed after him.
Nobody complained when the Children's Book Fair was dedicated to him.