Salvadoran Author Mario Bencastro To Speak On Immigraiton Reality In America

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Contact: Betty Valdés, 240-777-0017
or Diane Leatherman, 240-777-0019
For Immediate Release: August 7, 2000

SALVADORAN AUTHOR MARIO BENCASTRO
TO SPEAK ON IMMIGRATION REALITY IN AMERICA

Salvadoran author Mario Bencastro will discuss the "immigration reality" from the viewpoint of his book Odyssey to the North, on August 26 at 1 p.m. at the Gaithersburg Regional Library.

The program, conducted in Spanish, details the massive immigration of Salvadorans to North America. Odyssey recounts how "…The walls and benches of the (bus) terminal witnessed so much sadness, despair and fear. They listened to countless dramatic stories of the great Latin American exodus, stories of millions of human beings that were fleeing from the misery and violence in their countries, in search of the Promised Land. Each traveler left a drop of suffering etched on the floor of that labyrinth…."

Bencastro is author of several books for adults and teens, including A Shot in the Cathedral, The Tree of Life: Stories of a Civil War, a collection of short stories, two of which have been adapted for the stage. His works have been recognized with literary awards from Latin America, Mexico and Spain.

The free program includes a question-and-answer session, a reception and book signing, and the opportunity to talk with the author one on one. Bencastro's books will be available for purchase at a discount.

The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the American Library Association "Live @ the Library 2000," National Endowment for the Arts, Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

The Gaithersburg Regional Library is located at 18330 Montgomery Village Avenue.

For more information, contact the Friends of the Library at 240-777-0019.

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