In continued observance of Letras Latinas’ 20th anniversary, the Institute for Latino Studies partnered with the Library of America to present the seventh installment of the yearlong celebration. Held on October 16 at McKenna Hall, the three-part event brought together award-winning poets Richard Blanco and Rigoberto González for an evening of poetry and discussion.
Director of the Institute, Professor Luis Fraga, welcomed guests, noting that the “Letras Latinas program was one of the first programs established at the Institute for Latino Studies, and has thrived under the leadership of Francisco Aragón.” Aragón, who has led the literary initiative since its founding, made the opening remarks presenting the evening’s distinguished guests and expressing gratitude to collaborators.
Susanna Plotts Pineda, current Latino Poetry Fellow at the Library of America, introduced the mission behind the Library of America’s national public humanities initiative Latino Poetry: Places We Call Home. Supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), this initiative centers on the anthology “Latino Poetry: A Library of America Anthology,” edited by Rigoberto González and featuring a collection of vital works by Latino poets.
Emma Trelles, ninth poet laureate of Santa Barbara and 2010 winner of the Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize, then presented her longtime friend and poet Richard Blanco. Widely acclaimed as President Obama’s fifth presidential inaugural poet and recent recipient of the 2023 National Humanities Medal, Blanco shared selections from his latest book, “Homeland of My Body: New and Selected Poems,” blending personal reflections with insights into the themes of home, identity, and belonging.
After Blanco’s reading, MFA candidate Emiliano Gomez introduced poet and anthology editor Rigoberto González, drawing from González’s Unpeopled Eden to reflect on the themes of trauma, queerness, and the search for identity in his poetry. González then engaged the audience, sharing pieces that emphasized his distinct narrative style. An acclaimed author of 18 books of poetry and prose, González has received numerous accolades, including the Guggenheim Fellowship, the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, and the Shelley Memorial Prize from the Poetry Society of America, among others.
The second part of the event featured a conversation moderated by Susanna Plotts Pineda, during which Blanco and González read and commented on two poems chosen by each other from Blanco’s book “Homeland of My Body” and González’s book “To the Boy Who Was Night.” Each poet took turns reading and commenting on the other’s work, drawing both laughter and thoughtful nods from the audience as they discussed the complexities and inspirations behind their writing. In the final segment of the event, the poets presented a selection from the Library of America anthology and offered commentary, with Blanco reading a poem by the renowned Cuban poet José Martí and González reading one by celebrated Chicano poet Luis Omar Salinas. This evening marked their first joint appearance and their second visit to campus.
The evening concluded with a reception and book signing, where attendees—including students from Aragón’s undergraduate poetry classes and Latino Studies Scholars— had the opportunity to connect with the poets. Sophomore Christina Ayón ‘27, a member of the seventh cohort of the Latino Studies Scholars Program, shared her appreciation for the event’s depth and variety, stating, “It just seems so unique and foreign to me. This is different. I liked it.”
The day’s festivities extended beyond the evening gathering, with Blanco and González participating in an exclusive luncheon alongside faculty and MFA candidates, an oral history interview conducted by Emma Trelles with Blanco, and a visit by both poets to Aragón’s undergraduate literature course, Latinx Poetry Now.
Overall, the poetry reading and discussion event was an outstanding success, highlighting the importance of Latino poetry in preserving cultural heritage and identity. The return of Blanco and González, two poets with long-standing ties to Letras Latinas, reinforced the literary initiative’s mission to amplify the creative voices of Latinos and showcased its enduring legacy at Notre Dame.
