No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveStoryteller keeps Latino history and traditions alive

Storyteller keeps Latino history and traditions alive

LOS ANGELES –  At 71, Olga Loya has told thousands of stories in English and Spanish in Mexico and the United States, bringing to children, young people and adults tales that know no borders, awaken creativity and keep traditions alive.

She is the author of the bilingual book “Momentos Magicos/Magic Moments,” that tells 10 stories from  Mexico, Cuba, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Colombia and Puerto Rico, and which won in 1998 an Aesop Accolade from the International Reading Association.

“My stories are a window onto subjects like healing, racism, bullying, multiculturalism, forgiveness, the environment, the richness of each family’s legacy and the value of our traditions,” Loya said in an interview with Efe.

Born in California, the author spent a good part of her childhood listening to stories told by her Mexican paternal grandmother, who spoke to her in Spanish about experiences as simple as how to go to the market, or anecdotes about some uncle, or Mexican songs – an immense fund of oral tradition that lit up that little girl’s mind with the most colorful images.

She took a degree in education at California State University, Los Angeles and worked for many years as a teacher. Her way of instructing students gradually incorporated storytelling to make the classes more entertaining and interactive.

In 1980, after attending a storytelling conference for the first time, she discovered that this was what she really wanted to do in life and decided to dedicate herself heart and soul to this calling.

“I have two daughters and when I told them that I wanted to be a storyteller, they thought I was going crazy, but I didn’t stop until I made my dream come true,” she said.

“When I began, I told stories from American folklore, but one day I got the idea that I had a culture with some very good tales to tell, and I began telling stories from Latin America – and then I saw that I had stories in my family and in our traditions that I could also tell,” she said.

Loya’s life is divided among tours of different theaters in Mexico and the United States, and her presentations sometimes incorporate dance, theater and song as well as narration.

She also gives seminars at schools, libraries, museums, universities and even prisons, teaching her audiences how to write and tell stories.

“Keeping stories and traditions alive is indispensable for the soul,” she said.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Fights Drug Trafficking as Transit Hub Despite Resource Strains

Costa Rica remains a key route for drugs heading to North America, despite efforts to crack down on trafficking. The U.S. Department of State’s...

Costa Rica’s Ocean Forecasting System Protects Cocos Island Marine Life

Costa Rica has rolled out a new ocean forecasting system on Cocos Island, aiming to improve marine safety, support conservation, and strengthen the country's...

Costa Rica Co-Host UNOC3 for Fossil Fuel Ban and Ocean Protection

Costa Rica is taking center stage at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, from June 9 to 13, co-hosting alongside...

How a Costa Rican Forest Turned My Bad Day Around with Wildlife Wonders

It happened as soon as I hung up. I was immediately grumpy. I had just completed a video call about wildlife monitoring services with...

Canada’s Latest Costa Rica Travel Advisory Update

The Canadian government rolled out a fresh travel advisory for Costa Rica, urging travelers to stay sharp due to rising crime and natural risks....

Panama to Negotiate With Chiquita Workers Amid Widespread Protests

The government of Panama and workers from the Panamanian branch of U.S. banana giant Chiquita Brands will meet next Monday in an effort to...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica