The Voice of the Book Fair: Who is the announcer who has been announcing the events for 26 years?

There she goes, from side to side at the bullfights , with her notebook and papers in hand, elegant, made up, with her mahogany hair loose. She takes the stage and introduces the event . She only has three minutes to do so. Then she disappears from the scene , since, like a chameleon, she tends to change color according to the occasion: from white to yellow, from red to blue, and even to ochre. Literally. But she will never change her ways, those manners that distinguish her. “At this 49th Buenos Aires International Book Fair, we extend the warmest welcome to each and every one of you, and in particular to Buenos Aires Producciones, because they bring us the play 'Other Words.' Today at the Fair, we have an invitation, or perhaps, a concern. Can a private letter be an artistic achievement? At the Book Fair, 'Other Words,' in the voice and performance of Teresa Costantini and Georgina Barbarossa,” was her letter of introduction at the Gorostiza Hall.

She may go unnoticed , but many people focus on her diction. Above all, on her unmistakable voice: a sweet, strong, calm, friendly, and seductive sound that brings peace, confidence, and warmth to those in the room. "I heard her on TV, on the radio, and now she's at the Fair!" visitors exclaim.

Claudia Álvarez is “The Voice of the Fair.” That's what everyone at La Rural knows her as. For 26 years ( pandemic included), she's been the official host of the Buenos Aires International Book Fair. She's passionate about her work, attentive to detail, and extremely professional. “ I'm also a teacher and journalist, a specialist in ceremony and protocol, always committed to oral tradition,” she describes herself.

Nobody knows how he does it, but "The Voice of the Fair" is always everywhere, at the appointed time , to give his best with his broadcasting, leaving everything on the field, putting his heart and soul into every event, every day.

"I'm a broadcaster and journalist. I've worked in all of these areas, including as a radio and TV producer, but in broadcasting, I find this type of presentation provides a more direct connection," the host told Clarín .

“ Over the years, I've specialized in managing corporate events. At the same time, I've developed a teaching career in various fields. I'm also a communications coach trained in Italy. More than 10 years ago, I won the Italian Chair at ISER. I'm bilingual: I speak Italian, but I don't mind English as much ,” he says.

Born in Villa de Voto, where she still lives, Claudia is a national broadcaster who graduated from COSAL and teaches at ISER. “There, I developed a unique system, a method in which , without teaching them the language, I achieve very good pronunciation in the children, since I teach them the entire class in Italian . It also keeps me in touch with the new generations, my future colleagues. It's a special responsibility,” she says.

Her father worked as an electrician at the Medical Research Institute, and her mother was a homemaker: she worked as a school assistant for a time and owned a haberdashery at home. “She was a great partner to my dad. They both graduated sixth grade from rural schools. I am very grateful for the efforts my parents made, who gave us secondary school and instilled in us the value of work , not just necessity,” she emphasizes.

Her passion for teaching began about 15 years ago, when she began teaching public speaking at undergraduate and graduate levels at various universities, "always using this method of training for the real world of work with specific situations. I train my coaches for specific actions through their way of working. Teaching has always been at the heart of my professional development. But contact with people, with the public, is what I enjoy most," she emphasized.

–How did you get to the Fair?

–In 1997–98, the official announcer for the Fair was María de los Ángeles Lorenzo. We were colleagues. She was here, but she had young children, so she wanted to spend the weekends with her children. Then, she told me she was desperate because she needed a substitute: “I brought four people, and they didn’t accept any of them.” Marta Díaz was the director of the Fair. I started doing it on the weekends. Then I started doing it more frequently. Then, María de los Ángeles began pursuing a commercial career: she studied Business Administration and got a job at a very important company. She told them she was leaving and recommended me. They said, “Of course.” But until she did, she came and told me. I’m very loyal.

–How were your beginnings?

Marta Díaz, now deceased, was incredibly demanding. She was the General Director of the Book Fair, a visionary woman. At that time, she was in a booth and did the announcer work for the 12-14 hours that the Fair lasted. All the activities were announced in the aisles 15 minutes beforehand and on time. It was nonstop. Before, as now, I had a line; everything I said had to be improvised. I only had the use of information: I had to pronounce Spanish perfectly, conjugate verbs well, and form sentences with a subject and predicate. It seems basic, third-grade, but that was the requirement.

But times have changed. For some time now, event announcements have been made in person at each venue . “Sometimes I arrive five minutes early, sometimes three, sometimes one. I feel a very important responsibility. For me, there are no big or small events,” he clarifies.

–What is your work day like?

When I arrive at the Fair, I leave my things in an office at the Organizing Committee. I usually change and get ready here. I meet with Ezequiel Martínez, the Fair director. I make a sheet for comfort. My priorities are marked in orange; I also cover the rest. One very particular thing about my job is that I have to adapt to the environment at that moment. For example: I'm dressed in ceremonial and protocol attire. Now I'm going to put on a jacket because, due to protocol, I can't walk around with my shoulders uncovered. I try not to wear all black because this is a party, but I do try to dress formally.

Claudia has “thousands” of anecdotes in her 26 years as the official announcer for the Book Fair . “Once, a 10-year-old author came. OK, let's present the book. There was a technical problem with an animation that wasn't working. We had to open the room (invite the audience into the auditorium), so they came in, and I was dressed in ceremonial clothes with 40 kids. I'm not Panam, but I said to them: 'Kids, let's see: who read the book and what did you like?' The adults started answering. I spent 20 minutes talking about it.”

“I had half the Judicial Council in another room when a book on disability was being presented. There were about 20 children and adolescents with disabilities. Then, my tone of voice changed and I said, 'We're really happy you're here. Let's start with a round of applause.' The judges looked at me as if to say, 'What's wrong with this woman?' The event is for the public. I'm absolutely clear about that ,” he emphasizes.

Claudia usually stays informed at each event and adapts to the circumstances. She "kills herself" trying to pronounce each surname correctly or to name the Arabs who are at the Fair. It's a topic of personal interest because surnames are history, and although I double-check them out of habit, if I think my surname is Alvarez (without an accent), it's Alvarez!" she adds.

She also "has a go" when technical problems arise , when the lighting, screens, sound, or microphones don't work, and she often changes her tone when she has to announce sensitive topics amidst a "party" atmosphere at the Book Fair. "I have to cope with these situations, be able to adapt, and capture the tone, the emotion, the joy, or sometimes the sadness," she says.

Last year, she presented an event at the Pride and Prejudice stand with the famous "ducklings" on her head in front of a government official, as the atmosphere at the Fair was lacking. "The atmosphere warranted it," she recalls. "It also moves me to see people cry, or women are more expected to be emotional. I'm also moved when I see older people get emotional, or see cases of success or illness," she adds.

"The Voice of the Fair" usually performs an average of 20 shows per day. Sometimes a little more, like last Sunday, when he performed 34. He travels an average of 9 kilometers per day between theaters, from pavilion to pavilion. Sometimes he does it among the crowd, and other times he has to "cut corners" and go outside.

The Book Fair lasts a total of 21 days, including the two Professional Days prior to the official opening. Claudia works from Monday to Monday: depending on the day, she arrives at 1:00 PM or 2:00 PM and finishes at 9:00 PM. She gives around 420 presentations or events per year throughout the Fair. A Guinness record that is difficult to match.

–There are so many events a day! How do you take care of your voice?

I've been taking care of myself 24/7 since I was 18. I just had a video endoscopy three days before starting. I take great care of myself. I don't eat ice cream while I'm working; I drink plain water even if it's hot. Never cold water or water from the refrigerator. I also don't smoke or drink alcohol. I don't eat spicy foods or exert myself. They're all irritating to the vocal cords. Also, I rarely talk on the phone because I can't talk because I don't have much time. The days before or after, I do vocal rest, which means not talking, as much as I can. I only text on WhatsApp.

–How do you organize yourself when you have three events at the same time?

–I go through all the rooms and talk to them very quickly. It's about two minutes of speaking time, no more. I'm aware that I talk very quickly because I don't have time. I also check with the organizers of each event in the room: "Do you start on time? If you could start a few minutes earlier, would you give me three minutes?" The problem is when it's too far away and I have to get from one end to the other. For a few years now, I've been using a pedometer and activating it when I enter the Fair. It gives me about 9 kilometers per day inside. On Sunday, I did 9.2 kilometers. Since the Fair was "packed" and I couldn't get through, I started going on the outside. I have to cut corners. It's not a question of running into people who are strolling. That's why I run. The La Rural grounds are 45,000 square meters...

–Do you like being called “The Voice of the Fair” instead of by your name?

–Definitely. They tell me: 'There goes the girl or the voice of the Book Fair.' On my badge, I just put 'Claudia.' The word announcer is in a bolder color. People sometimes look at the badge, and sometimes they don't read it. I think we all end up being a QR code. That's how they know me. I don't have a "going out to show off" thing either. I just introduce myself and say: Hi, how are you? I'm Claudia, I'm the announcer for the Book Foundation. For me, in this field, it's almost like my last name. I feel very honored; I've worked hard and I'm still working hard. I believe in constant learning.

–Do you have any goals to accomplish inside or outside the Fair?

–I want to continue growing, developing different things within my profession as a broadcaster. I would love to be the Voice of the Stadium and present the Argentine National Team. I'm a huge fan of the national team. I've always watched all of our national teams with great love and passion. I would love to be the Voice of the Stadium and present our national soccer team. I would deeply love it. I once said I have a tattoo of the fair's jersey, and this one too.