Ecos del Gran Viejo: Latin American Poets Sing Walt Whitman, a bilingual reading of works by Latin American writers influenced by Whitman, UCLA Powell Library Rotunda, 2-4pm

Beginning with poet and Cuban patriot, José Martí, and ending with Mexican poet and Nobel Prize Laureate, Octavio Paz, Ecos del Gran Viejo is a bilingual reading exploring one of the most important nodes of inter-American literary exchange over the last two centuries: the impact of Walt Whitman, America’s first poet of democracy, on Latin American literary and political consciousness. Like Whitman himself, we ask, “What is it then between us?” Performance followed by reception with cake on the occasion of Whitman’s 200th birthday. Free and open to the public.

Invited Presenters:

Miranda Lore Drayton-Porras, 5th Grader, Geffen Academy at UCLA

Susannah Rodríguez Drissi, PhD, Lecturer, Writing Programs

Marú García, MFA Student, Design Media Arts

Antonio Ginés Collado Gonzáles, PhD Student, Department of Spanish & Portuguese

Audrey Harris, PhD, Assistant Adjunct Professor, Department of Spanish & Portuguese

Norma Mendoza-Denton, PhD, Associate Dean, Graduate Division

Gabriela Venegas, PhD, Lecturer, Department of Spanish & Portuguese

Helga Zambrano, PhD Student, Department of Comparative Literature

Featuring special guest appearance by Yalil Guerra, Latin Grammy Award-winning composer and guitarist

Co-sponsored by UCLA Writing Programs, UCLA Library, and the Latin American Institute as part of Whitmania, the west coast’s largest celebration of Walt Whitman’s bicentennial. Produced by Drs. Amber West and Susannah Rodríguez Drissi.