Hispanic Heritage Month: Julio Cortázar

Another one of my favorites and a huge influence in my life, the Argentine Julio Cortázar. Read anything by him and I promise you won't see the world the same way ;)

About the author: Born in Belgium to Argentinian parents, Julio Cortázar is known as one of the founders of the Latin American Literary Boom. He became an elementary school teacher at 18, and later became a college professor of French literature. In 1938 he published a book of sonnets using the pseudonym Julio Denis, and in 1949 he published his play "Los Reyes" which showed his magical writing in style. In 1951 his collection of short stories "Bestiario" was published which included his famous short story, "Casa Tomada". He has also published novels and poetry.

About his writing: Julio Cortázar writing is characterized by magical realism and his unique way to introduce fantastic elements in the story. His unique writing style is also described as surreal and supernatural.

Must read:  His short stories "Casa Tomada" and "Instrucciones para subir una escalera" and his novel "Rayuela"

Hispanic Heritage Month: Rosario Ferré

The second writer for this literary Hispanic Heritage Month celebration is one of my personal favorites: the Puerto Rican Rosario Ferré. 

About the author: Daughter of the former governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Ferré, Rosario Ferré was raised in one of the wealthiest families of the island. She attended prestigious schools in Puerto Rico as well as the United States. At the age of 14 she began writing articles for the Puerto Rican newspaper, El Nuevo Día. While working in her Master's degree at the university of PR, she founded the journal Zona de Carga y Descarga, which not only published new writers but also promoted the independence movement. She has published short stories, novels, essays, and poetry in both English and Spanish.

About her writing: Ferré was influenced by cuentistas such as Julio Cortázar. She's considered one of the most important feminist writers of Latin American since she usually explores the lives of women in patriarchal societies in her writing. Her works also offer political criticism and advocate for the independence of PR.

Must Read: Her short story ¨La Muñeca Menor" (The Youngest Doll) part of her collection of short stories "Papeles de Pandora".

Hispanic Heritage Month of writers: Gabriel García Márquez

What a better way to start this Hispanic Heritage Month celebration than with one of the most famous Latino writers?  I don’t want to present to you a full biography of the author, my intentions are for you to add a few names and books to your reading list ;)

About the author: Gabriel Garcia Marquez was born in Colombia in 1928. He was raised by his maternal grandparents and grew up listening to their stories. His career began as a journalist, working for several of the most important newspapers of Colombia. La Hojarasca, his first novel, was published in 1955 and he soon became one of the most notorious writers of Latin America. In 1982 he was awarded the nobel prize of literature "for his novels and short stories, in which the fantastic and the realistic are combined in a richly composed world of imagination, reflecting a continent's life and conflicts".

Writing style: Gabo’s writing style is characterized by “magical realism” where magical events are treated as real. Other works by Marquez simply explore reality, presenting a traditional approach to the story.

Must read: “Cien Años de Soledad” (One Hundred Years of Solitude) is one of Marquez’s most famous books. My favorites are his novel “Del Amor y Otros Demonios” (Of Love and Other Demons) as well as his short story “Un señor muy viejo con unas alas enormes¨” (A very old man with enourmous wings)

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15th until October 15th, the United States commemorates the Hispanic Heritage Month in an attempt to recognize all the fabulous things our people have contributed to the American society. Personally I think that the contributions of minorities shouldn't be recognized only one month a year, (I also have an issue with the term "Hispanic"), but I'm leaving all those politics and personal feelings aside this year. I wanted to do something special on my blog and at first I thought about cooking different Latin American foods, and while it was a yummy idea, I asked myself this question: What's the main Hispanic contribution that has affected ME? The answer was easy, LITERATURE!! 

Since I learned how to read I developed a love for books. My mom would work many jobs at a time when I was growing up, so I spent most of my afternoons at our tiny local library reading as much as I could. The first book I remember reading is Don Quixote, (a kid friendly version, of course!), and I was drawn to the beauty of Spanish literature. Our librarians, whom I knew personally from spending so much time there, noticed this and recommended tons of book by Latino writers, mainly cuentos and Latin American legends. When I moved to the U.S. I would go to the library and check out whatever book I liked from their Spanish section; in part because I was struggling learning English and I just wanted to read something I fully understood, also because my childhood had obviously affected my taste in reading. When I entered college I knew I wanted to major in Spanish Literature, I wasn't sure if it was the career I wanted to pursue but I would get to do read what I loved!

I majored in three different subjects, took approximately 50 university classes, and my most favorite college class until now has been in Spanish literature! It's my passion! I may not read as much as I used to anymore, but I'm always reading something either in Spanish or by a Latino author. Even if it's just a newspaper or magazine article!

So in celebration of the Hispanic Heritage Month I made a list of about 30 Hispanic authors and I will blog about a different one every day! I tried to include one from every single Latin American country (although I haven't read any from Haiti) as well as Spain and Hispanic-American writers. I should warn you, I'm fascinated with cuentistas and the "Boom Latinoamericano" so they might dominate the list ;) I chose the first writers that came to mind and in no particular order. After finishing the list I realized that most of the writers are well known, maybe that's the reason why I thought of them first?? I wish I could tell you about all the writers I love, but it would probably take me forever!

So starting this Thursday September 15th, visit my blog for you daily dose of Hispanic writers! Any writer you like? Feel free to share in the comments! Celebrating this month? Also let me now! 

Mucho love,

MJ

The new fashionistas: Mexican rag dolls.

I think every little girl growing up in Mexico had at least of of these typical Mexican rag dolls (AKA Mazahua dolls). These dolls are usually made by the indigenous communities of Mexico and sold on the streets. I don't really know the history of these dolls and when I tried to look for it online I got tons of different versions. I had a few and must confess that I preferred my barbies. My mind still believed in the western idea of beauty, you know, tall, skinny, mostly blonde... But don't worry, I've changed ;) I appreciate these dolls so much more now and actually have a few around the house! I was spoiled as a kid, my family that lived in the US always got me the newest barbie models and I had a big box of barbie clothes and accessories.. and I couldn't do dress my Mexican rag dolls with the fancy dresses... or so I thought!

I saw these pictures today, Vogue in Mexico invited a few fashion designers to dress the Mazahua dolls with their fancy garments. This was the result:

I don't know if I love them or hate them... A part of me wished I had seen these as a kid and maybe I would've played with them more. Maybe is also spreading the idea that fashion is for everyone. On the other hand, changing the the indigenous clothing of these dolls reminds me of the Conquistadores trying to "civilize" indigenous communities by dressing them as them. One problem I do have is that the artesanas that made the dolls are not recognized like the designers. It would be nice if they had their name in big bold letters too! 

What do you think, are they fun or offensive? maybe a bit of both??