Letras Latinas, the literary initiative at Notre Dame’s Institute for Latino Studies, will join leaders from national poetry organizations for its annual convening, taking place this year from November 2 – 4. They will gather in Kent, Ohio to learn about the Wick Poetry Center and how its innovative public poetry programs impact the community, as well as ways in which the center will help commemorate the 50thanniversary of the shooting on the Kent State campus in 1970 that took the lives of four students protesting the Vietnam war.
The organizations are part of a Poetry Coalition that is working to increase the visibility of the art form and demonstrate its unique ability to spark dialogue and encourage empathy. Letras Latinas is founding member.
“Once again Letras Latinas is excited about contributing to next March’s nationwide programming, said Francisco Aragón, who directs the ILS’ literary initiative. “And while I can’t yet reveal what the Poetry Coalition’s 2019 theme is, I can announce that Letras Latinas will be co-presenting its program in New Mexico—in partnership with the National Hispanic Cultural Center and the Albuquerque Poet Laureate Program. I’m also happy to share that once again Duende District, who will soon be establishing a presence in Albuquerque, will be our official book seller. Our featured poet will be Natalie Scenters-Zapico, who was recently awarded a Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Fellowship from the Poetry Foundation.
To learn more about the Ohio convening and the Poetry Coalition, please visit:
https://www.poets.org/academy-american-poets/poetry-coalition
Letras Latinas, the literary initiative at the Institute for Latino Studies (ILS), strives to enhance the visibility, appreciation and study of Latinx literature both on and off the campus of the University of Notre Dame—with an emphasis on programs that support newer voices, foster a sense of community among writers, and place Latinx writers in community spaces.