Director's Notes

RETURN

The Border Book Festival is celebrating its 14th year of service in 2008. We begin with a $4,000 grant from NM Arts and the desire to have a one-day book festival. We got big and then we got small and when we got smaller we got better. With this sense of refinement and understanding has come a recommitment to our mission: to bring the best of literature and story to the borderland community.

With this year’s theme of Return we have invited extraordinary writers and artists who tell and sing the story of our world. Their stories and songs are our songs, their blessings and sorrows and joys are own. Each artist who is part of this year’s theme of Return has manifested the essence of that journey—to and from—the Leavetaking and the Return. We are interested in the Prodigal Son, but the Brother/Sister who Stayed Home is an essential part of the Story. Each has trod the road of life making each of us stronger.

We celebrate the Return of Perla Batalla, whose powerful voice and spirit captivated our hearts at last year’s Gala with Martín Espada. Perla asked to return to do a concert on the Mesilla Plaza and we are happy to give this to you as our gift.

We are also happy to offer you beautiful bookmarks with a quote from each artist. Oftentimes children or adults can’t buy a book, but these bookmarks give beauty in a tangible way and with Corazón. Enjoy them!
Our blessings are manifold this year. Our Cultural Center, with its yearlong events is flourishing and has found a place in the regional community. Thank you to all our friends in El Paso, Juárez, Las Cruces, Mesilla and environs!

We have been given a signed Diego Rivera lithograph by an anonymous donor to sell to help our organization. We are the proud caretakers of a signed copy of Fruits of Labor by Diego Rivera, #49 of 100. We are looking for a buyer. This gift will extend our work in the world and will allow us to grow as a center and Return blessing to community.

We look forward to more Returns. Your continued visits, participation in readings, workshops, and your friendship and goodwill is crucial to us as we complete our cycle of work these three years, as we explored the Re-Invention of the Americas, Remembering Who We Are, and finally, Returning to our Roots, The Sacred.
Thank you to all who have joined us for this year’s Return. A special thank you to our poster artists, Sudeshna Sengupta and Daniel Zolinksy, whose powerful Petroglyph images capture no small part of the Divine.

Denise Chávez