Distinguished Chapala author Zaida Cristina Reynoso Camacho was recognized for her accomplishments and contributions as a local culture doyenne at two local events programmed in conjunction with the April 23 UNESCO commemoration of World Book and Copyright Day.
Reynoso was honored by local government officials early in the day at a Día Internacional del Libro conference, receiving a framed diploma in acknowledgement of her latest achievement, a first-place award in the short story category in Argentina’s annual Puente de Palabras del Mercosur literary contest. Her winning submission is titled “El Ropero de la Abuela” (Grandma’s Closet).
That evening, she was the guest of honor at a tribute to literature hosted by students and staff at the Decroly Secondary School.
Originally from Zacatecas, Reynoso earned a degree in Letters at the Universidad Autónoma de México. She settled in Chapala 45 years ago with her architect and artist husband Conrado Contreras y Ledesma. The couple have been deeply influential on the local cultural scene ever since, producing live theatrical productions, originating the Chapala Puros Cuentos writers conference and otherwise promoting the arts. Together they founded the Colectivo Cultural El Quijote and the small publishing outfit El Clavileño that prints works by local writers.
Zaida has retired from a long career as head literature teacher at Chapala’s Preparatoria Regional. She served for three years as director of the Municipal Archives, when she complied local historical records published in two tomes. She has also produced more than a dozen collections of her own prose and poetry.
Reynoso’s passion for the written word has motivated her to take leadership roles in state and local programs aimed at encouraging children to read and love books.
Her lifetime achievements were recognized in 2015, at age 71, when she was named among 13 recipients of the state government’s annual Outstanding Senior Citizen Award.