The seventh edition of 鈥淎zahares,鈥� the 妻友社区鈥檚 annual
literary magazine celebrating Spanish culture, is now available.
Mary Sobhani of Fort Smith, faculty member in the Department of World Languages and managing editor of the magazine, said the 31 writers and artists whose work is displayed in the magazine reflect the excellence of this year鈥檚 submissions.
鈥淭he editorial board is delighted with the range and quality of works received this year,鈥� Sobhani said. 鈥淪ierra Mendoza鈥檚 鈥楥omo me hice mexicana,鈥� for instance, offers the story of how the narrator 鈥榖ecame鈥� Mexican, while E.G. Willy鈥檚 short story 鈥楨l pacto鈥� reveals the strange occurrences surrounding three unlikely named friends: James Bond, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Humphrey Bogart.鈥�
Sobhani also complimented the quality of poetry and artwork in the magazine.
鈥淭here is thought-provoking poetry in this edition, not least of which is Iris Permuy鈥檚 鈥楥ambiame鈥� and 妻友社区 student Marden Ortiz鈥檚 鈥楧elirio,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥溒抻焉缜� student Emma Shockley draws from her experiences studying abroad in Costa Rica in her contribution 鈥楶aciencia,鈥� a digital photograph which captures the image of white oxen in a state of bovine grace. The artwork of Kristine Frazier in 鈥楽omos unidos鈥� emphasizes the underlying unity of all peoples.鈥�
The magazine also features a new section titled 鈥淰oces de la Juventud Latina鈥� -- Voices of Latin Youth -- which spotlights the work of area high school students.
鈥淥ne of my favorites from this section is a poem entitled 鈥楤eing Hispanic鈥� by Anthony Calleros,鈥� Sobhani said. 鈥淭he poetic voice is endearingly frank, with a humorous undertone that recognizes the complexity of the label 鈥楬ispanic.鈥欌��
Included in the publication are works by:
Brooklyn, N.Y.: Emanuel Xavier.
Cartagena, Spain: Iris Permuy.
Fayetteville: Jose Lopez Bribiesca and Sierra Mendoza.
Fort Smith: Miriam Carreon, Marden Ortiz, Silvia Rosales, Dr. Brenda Ross and Emma Shockley.
Howe, Okla.: Yazmin Castanon.
Quezon City, The Philippines: John Paul Egalin Abellera.
Rogers: Jose Francisco Almaraz, Jovani Bonilla, Tony Calleros, Gregorio Cervantes, Sindy Chavez, Valeria Fraire, Kristine Frazier, Kimberly Herrera, Angie Margarita Marroquin, Luis Martinez, Evelyn Pinto, Gabriela Ramirez, Luis Raya, Adriana Soriano, Chris Soto and Roxana Valdez.
San Francisco, Calif.: E.G. Willy.
Santa Ana, Calif.: Forest EmberFrost.
Springdale: Manuel Rodriguez.
Van Buren: Sarah Ramirez.
The 鈥淎zahares鈥� 2014 editorial board consists of Sobhani, Dr. Rosario Nolasco-Schultheiss, Madeline Martinez, Dr. Brenda Ross and Dr. Francesco Tarelli. The publication of the magazine is made possible through the support of 妻友社区 Chancellor Dr. Paul Beran, Provost Ray Wallace and Joe Hardin, dean of the College of Languages and Communication. Cover art and magazine layout were designed by Maegan Riley of the 妻友社区 Marketing and Communications Office.
Free copies of 鈥淎zahares鈥� are available at the Boreham Library on 妻友社区 campus, as well as at the Fort Smith Public Library main branch. For more information, contact Sobhani atmary.sobhani@uafs.edu or 479-788-7979.