19 Oct Philadelphia Organization Spotlight: Julia de Burgos Bookstore at Taller Puertorriqueño

BY ERICK BARRAGÁN RAMÍREZ

The cinéSPEAK Journal publishes a monthly Philadelphia Organization Spotlight highlighting a local film or moving image focused organization, business, or collective doing unique and impactful work.

Taller Puertorriqueño stands as a cultural oasis with a mission rooted in its community. It was established in 1974 by Puerto Rican and Latinx artists and activists in the North Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. Known as “El Corazón Cultural del Barrio,” Taller Puertorriqueño focuses its efforts on building bridges between Latinxs and the rest of Philly by using art as a tool for change. Taller Puertorriqueño works on the preservation, development and promotion of the arts and media, generating a connection not only to Puerto Rico but to the roots that we share as Latinxs.

To this end, the Julia de Burgos Bookstore at Taller Puertorriqueño pays tribute to poet Julia de Burgos. It emphasizes her ardent commitment to women’s rights and the rights of Afro-Latin writers and poets while presenting a wide variety of Latin literature from across Latin America and the Caribbean. The bookstore provides the Greater Philadelphia community with resources and literature to open a dialogue about Latinx culture and history. The Julia de Burgos Bookstore is the only bookstore in Philadelphia focused on books in Spanish and English, whose content goes beyond Puerto Rican culture and talks about the history of Latin America as well as the struggle of Latinxs in the United States for social justice and representation.

As Taller Puertorriqueño celebrates its 50th anniversary, cinéSPEAK had a conversation with Lisa Moser, the manager of the Julia de Burgos Bookstore. We discuss Taller Puertorriqueño’s programs for the community and some of its ongoing contributions to the rich tapestry of Latinx culture in Philadelphia and beyond.

cinéSPEAK: What is unique about your organization within the Philadelphia landscape?

Taller Puertorriqueño: The Julia de Burgos Bookstore is the region’s principal destination for Latinx/Latin American literature and cultural items, serving as the only bilingual bookstore of its kind in the Pennsylvania, Delaware and South Jersey region. We carry books in English and Spanish, with over 400 Spanish language titles and an emphasis on queer, BIPOC, and women authors.

Because Latine representation is lacking in the publishing industry (only about 5% of contributors–authors, illustrators, and other creators–identify as Hispanic/Latine), it is especially important to have a space where Latine contributors and Latin cultures are the sole focus. Our store hosts bilingual, inter-generational book events, where we give space for local Latine authors. 

cinéSPEAK: What impact do you hope your organization has in the Philadelphia community?

Taller Puertorriqueño: I hope that it can be a space where everyone feels welcome to browse and hang out. I want children, youth, and adults to be empowered by seeing themselves and their cultures reflected in these books. I hope that our bilingual storytime events bring generations together, and that Latine authors will be positively impacted by being spotlighted and promoted. I want our bookstore to be a resource for Philadelphia to learn about the history of Puerto Rico and other Latin American countries, whether it be the person’s own heritage or another culture.

cinéSPEAK: What is one thing the general public might not know about your organization?

Taller Puertorriqueño: In addition to books, we also sell merchandise by local Latine artists and small businesses, as well as items from Puerto Rico. Local merchandise is one of our top-selling categories, and that money goes directly to the artists.

Since Taller is a non-profit, our store also serves as a means of income for Taller’s programs. The funds made from bookstore sales go directly into bookstore events and Taller’s education programs. This allows us to keep almost all of our events completely free. When people shop at our store, not only are they supporting Latinx authors and creators, but they are also directly supporting Taller’s after school program & cultural education programs. 

cinéSPEAK: Tell us something exciting that is coming up for your organization (this could be an event, a new hire, a new funding source, etc.)?

Taller Puertorriqueño: Taller Puertorriqueño is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in December, so we will have a whole year of special programming, events, and celebrations! We will be kicking off our 50th anniversary at our Encendido Navideño on December 2nd, which will also kick-off the Christmas season (Puerto Rico celebrates one of the longest Christmas seasons in the world, from Thanksgiving until mid-January!). It will be a spectacular event you won’t want to miss.

cinéSPEAK: What are some upcoming events?

Taller Puertorriqueño: On Saturday, November 4th, at 10am we will have a story time for the book Beauty Woke with author NoNieqa Ramos. We have a Meet the Author/Book Club event on Saturday November 18 for the book Carmen & Grace, more details to be announced.

cinéSPEAK: What are some of the programs or opportunities at your organization that folks can get involved in?

We always need volunteers for our large annual events like Feria del Barrio and our Thanksgiving community lunch. Our “Meet the Author” series is a great program to attend. For children and youth, we have an after-school Cultural Explorations Program and Youth Arts Program, as well as a summer camp.

cinéSPEAK: Is there anything else you would like us to know about your organization?

Last year we started doing book fairs at an elementary school in our neighborhood, because certain larger publishers don’t host book fairs in schools where they don’t make enough profit. The principal invited our store to do a book fair instead, and we were able to provide a better book selection since this school has an almost 90% Latine student body. The principal fundraised for every student to get a $10 voucher, and we sold the books at a discounted rate. For some students, it was their first time seeing their heritage represented on the pages of a book.

cinéSPEAK: What is the best way for people to stay up-to-date on your organization’s work?

The best way is Instagram @juliadeburgosbookstore.You can also subscribe to Taller’s newsletter at https://tallerpr.org/opportunities/

*Featured Image: Image of Julia de Burgos Bookstore. Image credit: Lisa Moser.

---