Gerardo Diego is the least known of the “Generation of ’27,” which included Federico García Lorca. And yet Diego was who first gathered these poets in his anthology, Spanish Poetry 2015-2031.
With Handbook of Foams, I hope to bring this work to more readers in English. It’s one of the most important works in the 20th century Spanish avant-garde.
My gratitude to @shearsmanbooks , the UK Publisher; and @redhenpress , who will assist with sales in the U.S.
A number of events are in the works, the first on June 11 with a presentation at The Writers Center, in collaboration with @tintas.dc , with DMV poets: @danveradc , Kim Roberts, @yvetteneisser , @haint_poet , @elcacayo ,and @adriangaston.garcia .
#latinxpoetry #poetry #gerardodiego
On top of my translation of Gerardo Diego’s 'Manual de espumas', 'Handbook of Foams' (@shearsmanbooks ) also includes a very personal essay of mine.
"Mostly Madrid" covers a formative period in my life spent largely in the Spanish capital. It tells the story of how I came to undertake this translation, while also reflecting on my time in Spain, meeting Seamus Heaney, my growing love of poetry, and more.
By purchasing the book, you can read the full essay; I've shared the opening pages here to give you a glimpse.
Wonderful to see the great Emmy Perez last week. For those that don't know, the volume pictured here with 'Handbook of Foams' is her recently published 'New and Selected Poems' that’s part of a special series for former poets laureate of Texas. Go order your copy!
#EmmyPerez #NewAndSelectedPoems #PoetsLaureate #TexasPoetry
Hard to believe it's now six (!!) years to the day since After Rubén was released. My last full collection, and one I hold very close to my heart.
In the words of the brilliant @fresnotatam , "This is a book made of books, cultures, and languages, a search made of searches—“I tried to invent new flowers, new tongues,” it says—and indeed Francisco has accomplished this task. Rare for its intimate, deep voices and expansive, chromatic treks."
If you haven't discovered it yet, please do seek it out!
#AfterRuben #Poetry #LiteraryArt #cincodemayo
Tomorrow afternoon I'll be at @litfestinthedena for the @letraslatinasblog2 reading, and joining so many other wonderful writers.
So on that note, what better time to release this book trailer for my translation of Handbooks of Foams by the brilliant Gerardo Diego, out now with Shearsman Books!
#LitFest #LetrasLatinas #GerardoDiego #HandbooksOfFoams #Translation #booktrailer
Just spent a few days at the University of Notre Dame's The Art of Encounter Symposium. @natalia.trevino.writer , @mkelsonauthor , and I guided participants in mini-ekphrastic poetry workshops! It was wonderful to revisit the @raclinmurphymuseum . Lots of poems brewing!
Thanks to @fjaragon2011 and @letraslatinasblog2 the literary initiative of the Institute of Latino Studies, for the support and sponsorship.
#NotreDame #ArtOfEncounter #EkphrasticPoetry #PoetryWorkshops #RaclinMurphyMuseum #LiteraryArts #LetrasLatinas #LatinoStudies #CreativeWriting #CulturalExchange
Last year the wonderful people behind @vocescenter interviewed me for the Voces Oral History Project at University of Texas, Austin. Please head over to my website, or the Voces Youtube page to watch the full thing.
In their words: "Francisco Aragón discussed his early life in San Francisco, his love for athletics, and his high school influence from his teachers He recounted his involvement in the Sandinista Revolution and his first encounter with Francisco X. Alarcon's poetry. Aragon detailed his academic journey, including his time at UC Berkeley and UC Davis, and the founding of Letras Latinas and Momotombo Press. He highlighted his role in fostering community and literary activism, particularly through the Andres Montoya Poetry Prize and the Palabra Pura series. Aragon also shared his ongoing efforts to support emerging Latinx writers and the importance of critical discourse in literature."
#VocesOralHistory #LiteraryActivism #LatinxWriters #SandinistaRevolution
Today, Adela, Natalia, and Maria delivered masterful flash breakout 20-minute workshops in the art of ekphrasis to symposium participants! Letras Latinas was proud to sponsor these as its contribution to The Art of Encounter.
Back in 2024 the wonderful people at @onbeing featured my translation of Francisco X. Alarcón’s poem, “Asleep You Become a Continent." @padraigotuama read it beautifully. You can still listen to it on their site.
"It is an intimate thing, to watch a lover while they sleep. In Francisco Aragón’s translation of Francisco X. Alarcón’s homoerotic poem, “Asleep You Become a Continent,” a man views his sleeping lover’s body like it’s a landscape: legs underneath sheets become mountains and valleys. The waking lover describes this view like an explorer might an unknown country; wondering what he will find."
#FranciscoXAlarcon #PoetryTranslation #queerpoetry #OnBeing #LGBTQ+ #translation
Thanks to @redhenpress for promoting After Ruben as one of their Poetry Month Recommendations. Can't believe it's nearly six years since it was released!
#AfterRuben #PoetryMonth #RedHenPress
“(…) and placing literary artists in community spaces.” Thus ends the final clause of Letras Latinas’ mission statement. Having Adela Najarro as a special guest in a high school AP English class, where her book has been taught, is an attempt at making good on that final clause, as was Ruben Reyes, Jr.'s appearance at the St. Joe County Public Library recently.
