Ivón Gordon Vailakis
Poetry
Critics
Latin American Literature Professor Shares a Poetic Journey
Ivonne Gordon Vailakis, a professor of Spanish and Latin American Literature at the University of Redlands, is available to talk about the role poetry and other forms of creative writing can play in healing communities grappling with the devastation of illegal drugs, gangs, violence, racism and other problems.
Vailakis read and presented her work in July at the International Poetry Festival in Medellin, Colombia. She read from her books:
* “Colibríes en el exilio,” which explores the concepts of border/borderlands and immigration;
* “Manzanilla del insomnia,” which explores the concepts of the Diaspora, ritual
celebrations, traditions and Conversos in Ecuador;
* And from her upcoming book, “El barro blasfemo,” which explores everyday life
as something sacred.
During the festival, the professor also gave a presentation about the acclaimed Latin American poet Jorge Carrera Andrade, who is her uncle.
“Being part of this International Poetry Festival, it reaffirmed my belief that poetry has a way of transforming people. This is the most important aspect I took away from this festival. It is amazing to see the power of poetry in front of thousands of people, who have been affected by violence and war, who come thirsty and hungry to listen to poetry.”
About Professor Vailakis: Vailakis has been published in literature journals in the U.S., Mexico and her native Ecuador and often does poetry readings. Her poetry frequently explores her own experiences as a Hispanic woman navigating two cultures.
Last year, she was one of 13 poets from across the U.S., Spain and Latin America selected to participate in a reading centered on the Sixteenth Poetry Marathon: The Pen and the Word, an annual event sponsored by Teatro de la Luna, an organization established to provide the Washington, D.C. area with Latin American-oriented cultural events.
Vailakis, who speaks six languages, received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine.
Reach Professor Valakis at ivonne_vailakis@redlands.edu or 909-748-8640.
Original en: www.redlands.edu
