Ten hours between books and performing arts. Playa Blanca experienced the literary festival on Saturday in Plaza del Carmen, enlivened by the presentation of titles, interaction with authors, and storytelling, puppet, and dance performances. The Book Fair is one of the activities organized by the Yaiza City Council, through the Department of Culture led by Daniel Medina, to promote reading and distinguish creators.
As part of this program to promote the arts among young people, Yaiza is starting a creative workshop in the first week of May on writing stories, illustration, layout, and editorial design aimed at children aged 6 to 11, taught by Mayte Pozo, one of the writers invited to the Southern Book Fair, where she presented her work 'The Adventures of Perenquén Man'.
Yaiza families interested in this workshop can contact the number 648189580. The sessions are scheduled for Mondays at the Playa Blanca Library, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and Wednesdays at the Benito Pérez Armas House of Culture in Yaiza, during the same afternoon hours.
Mayte Pozo shared the story of the new superhero of the Canary Islands with the Book Fair audience. Perenquén Man launches in defense of the environment; in fact, the conflict over oil exploration in the Canary Islands was the theme that led Mayte Pozo to write this book created for young readers.
Another book that sparked interest in Playa Blanca was the graphic novel 'Not with Your Daughter' by Iñigo Ifabre. The author, who did not stop drawing illustrations at his stand, told how the "fatal" relationship with his partner's daughter has been, which he has decided to share openly in the book narrated through vignettes. "People tell me that they feel very identified with the story because I tell problems that families usually experience with teenagers, such as disorder or lack of interest in studying." Ifabre adds "that it is about the passage from childhood to adolescence and how this leads to the awakening of madness."
'Allister Z and the Mystery of the Skeletons' was also presented by its author in Playa Blanca. Miguel Aguerralde describes the adventure book as a "risky step" as it is a novel to be read by children from 8 years old. "It is difficult and complicated to write children's literature." Aguerralde deviates from the stereotype of the children's book and therefore sees in 'Allister Z' "a risky project".
The writer Ismael Lozano was also in Playa Blanca, and although he did not present a book this time, he did announce that between July and August he will release a new novel set in Lanzarote. "It's a trailer, a noir novel," without giving more clues about its content and name. Lozano already has 10,000 copies sold of 'The Siren of Famara', the work that launched him to fame.
In addition to the presence of titles and writers, the Book Fair featured the participation of the storyteller Cristina Temprano and the shows 'Titerelladas' and 'Cuiquilladas'. The little ones also enjoyed workshops, a playroom, and inflatables throughout the day.
The Yaiza City Council appreciates the participation of writers, bookstores, publishers, and groups, and of course, the response from the public, "the best of incentives to continue investing in our program to promote the arts," in the words of Councilor Daniel Medina.