by Karla Seijas, Graduate Student Researcher, “Our Interwoven Futures” Mellon Foundation Grant, UC Merced
The inaugural Merced LitFest held on September 14th was an experience where words carried us on a journey through themes of music, adventure, migration, and a sense of belonging. Four separate locations throughout downtown Merced were populated with individuals who listened to fifty authors of different genres, voices and talents. The rotation of themes and readings complimented each other.
One theme that emerged in nearly every reading was the complex, multifaceted idea of “home.” Whether it was a woman reflecting on the journey of her migrant farmworker family or a mother speaking on the sacrifices made for her children, the stories echoed a shared experience of longing, loss, and discovery. These narratives held a deep sense of rootedness in Central Valley life, where the challenges of immigration, family, and cultural identity are interwoven with the land itself.
A unique part of the festival was how each speaker found a rhythm that was uniquely theirs, yet still connected to the others. Helen Sandoval, who was born and raised in the Central Valley, shared a piece about growing up between cultures “ni de aquí, ni de allá” (not from here, nor there). She spoke of friendships, heartbreaks, and finding her own identity, her words reminded us that belonging is not always easy, but it is always worth the search.
Rebecca Antoine, whose work focused on relationships and the definition of home, captured the tension and tenderness of love with her slow, careful cadence. She described the simple act of two people driving on an adventure to live in a new place, Merced. This allowed for reflection of my own connections, to people and to places.
As the festival came to a close, the sounds of soft guitars and song known as Jarocho told a story of immigration, migration, and the start of a new home. Jarocho has been a way for individuals to feel empowered through music.
The Merced LitFest was more than just a celebration of words. It was a reminder of how stories connect us—how they create spaces where we can explore themes of migration, motherhood, and belonging. The rhythms of each reader, from the soft strum of a guitar to the different sounds of voice, mirrored the ebb and flow of life in the Central Valley. These sounds, these words, are the beats of our collective story, guiding us toward understanding and belonging.
