New Mexico Viewpoint

Oda a la primavera

Tomorrow, April 23 at 7;00 pm at the Salón Ortega at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, a recital of Pablo Neruda's work will be held.  The public is invited to read favorite selections of Neruda to share with the assembly.  RSVP to 246-2261, Ext. 148 to reserve your spot.

             Chilean Poet Pablo Neruda

Here is a favorite Neruda work:

Oda a la primavera                Ode to spring

Primavera                                        Fearsome
terrible,                                             spring,
rosa                                                     zany
loca,                                                    rose,
llegarás                                              you will arrive
llegas                                                  unnoticed -
imperceptible                                 here you come now
apenas                                                the merest
un temblor de ala, un beso        flit of a wing, a kiss
de niebla con jazmines,              of jasmine-scented mist
el sombrero                                     Hats
lo sabe,                                              can feel it,
los caballos,                                    and horses.
el viento                                           The wind
trae una carta verde                    delivers a green letter
que los árboles leen                     for all the trees to read
y comienzan                                    and the leaves
las hojas                                            take
a mirar con un ojo                        a first peek,
a ver de nuevo el mundo,          a fresh look at things.
se convencen,                                 They're sure:
todo está preparado,                   everything is ready -
el viejo sol supremo,                    the ancient, uncontestable sun,
el agua que habla,                          and talking water,
todo.                                                    everything.

Día del Libro

My thanks to Dr. Carlos Vásquez, Director of Research and Literary Arts of the National Hispanic Cultural Center, for this information. Richard Griego

Día del Libro in Alburquerque - April 23, 24, 25, 2008

Día del Libro/World Book Day is celebrated around the world on April 23, St. George's Day. It is a celebration that came about through the efforts of an international writers union and is meant to promote the reading and the selling of books in print.

In some European and Latin American cities, World Book Day is celebrated by book sellers bringing their inventory out on the public square to sell and/or trade. Everyone who buys a book receives a free red rose in commemoration of the dragon St. george is said to have slain.

For the second year, the City of Alburquerque Cultural Services Department, Mayor Martin J. Chávez, the National Hispanic Cultural Center, the Instituto Cervantes, the Spanish Resource Center, the Old Town Merchants Association, the treasure House Book Store and the UNM Center for Latin American Resources and Outreach will sponsor activities to celebrate Día del Libro and bring books and reading back into the lives of children and adults alike.

APRIL 22 - at the National Hispanic Cultural Center - Voces Poéticas, a poetry competition for middle school students from throughout the city of Alburquerque will have its closing event in the Bank of America Theatre from 9:00 am to 11:30 am.

APRIL 22 - at the National Hispanic Cultural Center - Cuéntame un Cuento, a writing composition for high school students from throughout the state of New Mexico will have its closing event in the Salón Ortega from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

APRIL 23 - at the National Hispanic Cultural Center - La Obra de Neruda, a reading session of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda's work by anyone who has been moved by his work and wants to read short segments publicly either in Spanish or English. Music and refreshments will accompany book sales. The event begins at 700 pm in the Salón Ortega.

APRIL 25 - at Alburquerque's Old Town Plaza - An evening of music, poetry, literature, food, family and what is being billed as "New Fun in Old Town" begins at 5:00 pm. Local authors will be on hand to sign their works and books will be sold by the Treasure House Book Store.

These events are the result of collaboration between the following:

City of Alburquerque; National Hispanic Cultural Center and Foundation; Old Town Merchants Association; The Treasure House Book Store; Instituto Cervantes; Spanish Resource Center; UNM Center for Latin American Resources and Outreach; New Mexico Office of Cultural Affairs

Lecture on Historical Realities and The Pueblo Revolt Massacre

The following was sent to me by Rubén Sálaz, who has written many books on New Mexico and the Southwest.  It should be a provocative and engaging event. 

Slide/Lecture Presentation

HISTORICAL REALITIES and THE PUEBLO REVOLT MASSACRE.
 

The presenter is Rubén Sálaz M, historian and former schoolteacher  (33 years) with the Albuquerque Public Schools. (Rubén is the author of works like New Mexico:  A Brief Multi-History (State adopted for New Mexico history) and EPIC of the Greater Southwest, as well as his latest effort, The Pueblo Revolt Massacre (which has been described as a primer on Spanish colonial New Mexican history).

How American history is written is basic to this presentation on New Mexican history, the Acoma War, and the Pueblo Revolt. Excerpts from many authors/books will be flashed on the screen for documentation.

The presentation will include highlights of Western Civilization then focus on Spain, New Mexico, and the Southwest. Brief discussions will be provided on issues like the fact that, contrary to popular opinion, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table were and always have been fantasy, never real people. (Bring an open mind. Some people have become irritated upon learning that King Arthur never existed.)

Were the Hispanic colonists of New Mexico actually “crypto-Jews”? Or were they mostly Mexican Indians and mestizos? Did New Mexicans target the Pueblo Indians for genocide? What have been the effects of Americanization? Attend the presentation and decide these things for yourself.

WHEN:  April 5, Saturday, 10:30 a.m. (Monthly meeting of the HGRC.)

WHERE:  Botts Hall (Reference Library), Central and Edith.

ADMISSION:   Free.

2008 Latino Writers Conference

The National Latino Writers Conference is an exciting three-day event for aspiring writers where nationally known authors, agents and editors present in workshops and panel discussions. The goal of this event is to provide a forum for writers and agents to come together to share works-in-progress and receive constructive feedback. All attendees will have the opportunity to have three one-on-one appointments with an agent, author, and editor. A total of 50 fiction and non-fiction writers are accepted into this conference. If your application is submitted early authors will read a sample of your work during the three-day event. Literary genres that will be explored are: novel, short story (fiction/non-fiction), screenwriting, playwriting, poetry, mystery/detective, comics, and special features.

National Latino Writers Conference

Many thanks to Dr. Carlos Vásquez of the National Hispanic Cultural Center for alerting us to the following conference: