IBBY Congress in Mexico City Honors Stories Around the World

How proud the people of IBBY Mexico  were to bring  creators of children’s literature and educators from all over the world to Mexico City.   They showed us palaces beyond beauty,  feted us with tequila and tiny hordeuves with hibiscus at galas,  seduced us with the art of Mexican illustrators.  The word seduction was the word of the conference to me.  A long discussion by – is this term a little too close to the language of marketing? – the creatives  – brought a very pointed rebuke to some.  Reading, the creatives on the dais said,  must not be a slogan for literacy,  must not be a lesson  twenty minutes a day, you idiots.  No, the creatives said,  reading is a journey into seduction. My paraphrase. But this is my story, too. Every book is a falling in love. This past summer I read one book, over and over.  When I was driving, I listened to the audio of this book. I loved this book.  This is not the first time I’ve done this with a story. Yes, reading must be a seduction.

These writers were sharp in their rebellions against the industry.   Juan Domingo Arguelles suggested Crime and Punishment would not be published today.  Now we must have values in our books.  In his hyperbolic way he assured us,  “My books have no values.” He had been given a list by a U.S. publisher  of 34 things his books must not mention,  he said.   What  are the the taboos imposed, perhaps not articulated, but observed, that publishers perceive as making a book inappropriate,  unmarketable?  What are taboos observed across culture? I am drawn to dig deeper into these issues and welcome interpretations by  others.   We do know that the CBC clarified  U.S. publishing restrictions based on race in their recent study finding that less that 10% of books feature stories about nonwhites.

 Almost 1,000 advocates for using children’s literature as a bridge among cultures and nations were all TOGETHER.    Here’s a quote from David Almond who was there and whose books awe me. He said, “Every time a child is born the universe is re-created.”  This expressed value is one that gives me a sense of possibility for our work as creators of books for the young.  

In this Mexico City conference I found a remarkable addition to conferences I have not seen in the U.S.  In every session,  a technician staffed the media console.  Whatever your presentation, the technician mastered it.  All presentations worked flawlessly.  I brought a Keynote on ipad.  Bueno.  In Mexico City,  for an audience of people from Mexico, Bolivia, Sweden, Japan, Slovenia, Ireland, Texas, and more I  played a  video of a rap song written and performed by a South Sudanese-American rap star OD Bony from Portland, Maine.  Imagine.

A young man from Gran Bretana working on a PhD presented his research in a poster session. It think the title of his presentation speaks to the soul of IBBY. His title was,  “The Potential Role of Children’s Literature in Developing Tolerance Between Turkish and Kurdish Students.” In light of political breakdowns in the home countries of many who joined here,  people came for the hope in children and their books.

6 Responses to “IBBY Congress in Mexico City Honors Stories Around the World”

  1. terryfarish

    You are so welcome. I have pulled out a few small mentions. I discovered so many writers and poets there, as well as the idea of language as a cosmos. It was a conference of brilliance to me.

    Reply
  2. terryfarish

    Toni, I am forever changed. The world is both more enormous and also close and connected.

    Reply
  3. Joyce Ray

    Terry, thanks for sharing the conference with us. I’m absolutely certain that your presence added so much and affected many in a positive way, Thank you for your valuable work and your wonderful books.

    Reply
  4. terryfarish

    Joyce, with your international perspective, you would have eaten up this conference. Thanks for your comment.

    Reply

Leave a comment

  • (will not be published)