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LA Mayor Villaraigosa heading to Mexico



By Rick Orlov Staff Writer
Updated: 11/26/2009 11:20:05 AM PST

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Friday begins a four-day trip to Mexico, where he will lead a delegation of artists to the 2009 Guadalajara International Book Fair.

Thanks to a $2.1 million grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, more than 450 local authors, artists and filmmakers will display their work and perform at the festival, which runs for more than a week.

Villargaigosa will be the guest of honor at the festival.

"For nine days, Los Angeles will expose its vibrant literature, film, dance and theater in one of the largest celebrations of the arts in the world," Villaraigosa said.

"At a time when tourism is such a vital component of our economy, this delegation will work to promote and sell the culture of L.A. to the world."

Los Angeles will have more than 100 exhibitions, performances and films at the fair, which draws artists and other visitors from more than 40 countries, the mayor said.

In addition to the cultural activities, the mayor will meet with business and political leaders in Guadalajara and Mexico City to encourage investment in Los Angeles.

Kinda wonder how his pocho Spanish will fly in Guadalajara.