Attendees watching the docudrama “Los Infiltrados” at the 13th Annual Spanish Fair and Expo. (Photo by Alessandra Casanova)
After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the USF College of Arts and Sciences Department of World Languages hosted its 13th Annual Spanish Fair and Expo in April.
The fair, which began in 2007, showcases the department’s graduate and undergraduate Spanish programs and provides an opportunity for USF and surrounding Tampa community groups to conduct outreach.
This year’s fair drew a crowd of more than 300 attendees and included exhibit tables featuring 17 campus and community organizations, presentations, music and food.
“We came back strong and proud,” said Dr. Pablo Brecia, professor and graduate director of the Spanish master’s program. “Now, more than ever, I am convinced of the significance of this event that I envisioned back in 2007 when I became Spanish MA graduate director. It has become a tradition for our section and our department. And traditions are meant to be carried on.”
The highlight of this year’s fair was a screening of the docudrama “Los Infiltrados” by Alex Rivera, a dual language film that chronicles the experience of youth inside of an immigration detention system in the U.S.
“Director Rivera’s focus as a creative artist is on the dynamics of immigration in the U.S.,” Brecia said. “The Infiltrators is an innovative film that generates a lot of debate, and perhaps some actions, on this important issue.”
“Los Infiltrados” Director Alex Rivera (left) with Dr. Pablo Brescia, professor and organizer of the annual Spanish Fair and Expo. (Photo by Alessandra Casanova)
Sponsors for the Spanish Fair include USF World, Spanish Graduate Student Association, USF Status of Latinos (SOL), and College of Education.
“The fair would also not be possible without the support of Spanish instructors and graduate students, and I am forever indebted to them,” Brescia said.
Brescia said he plans to continue this annual tradition for as long as possible.
“A university is, above all, a community. This was the objective of the fair when I created it in 2007: to offer a place for all to gather around Hispanic/Latino/Latinx culture. Students can feel that they belong to something bigger than them,” Brescia said.