Category Archives: History/Historia

Las Carpetas

I recently heard about the artwork of Christopher Gregory-Rivera on an episode of the Las Raras podcast. Christopher Gregory-Rivera’s recent work, called “Las Carpetas” (“The Files”), examines the history of government surveillance on the island of Puerto Rico. The “carpetas” he refers to are files with information about Puerto Rican citizens — targets of FBIContinue reading “Las Carpetas”

The Arabic Roots of Spanish

When Arabic-speaking Muslims from North Africa invaded the Iberian Peninsula in 711, they introduced unique architecture, philosophy, and social norms to the territory. The Arabic language deeply influenced the local vernacular Latin dialect, which eventually became Spanish. In the 15th century, this territory was now the Spanish kingdom and was presided over by King FerdinandContinue reading “The Arabic Roots of Spanish”

Talking New Mexico

My husband and I were fortunate to spend most of our summer in New Mexico this year. We stayed in Santa Fe, Taos and the Albuquerque area, where my husband’s family lives. We also drove far north, which we usually don’t have the time to do, visiting the picturesque mountain town of Chama and theContinue reading “Talking New Mexico”

La Resta (The Remainder)

Earlier this fall, I read Chilean author Alia Trabucco Zerán‘s new book, The Remainder. The original Spanish title is La Resta, and I read the translation by British translator Sophie Hughes. This novel is at once familiar and distinct. While the focus is on post-Pinochet Chile, the story is told through the eyes of present-dayContinue reading “La Resta (The Remainder)”

Reading: Dispara, yo ya estoy muerto

Last week I began a new novel: Dispara, yo ya estoy muerto (Shoot Me, I’m Already Dead) by Spanish author and journalist Julia Navarro. This is an ambitious novel that follows the story of two families – the Zuckers and the Ziads – whose lives become intertwined when Samuel Zucker, fleeing the persecution of JewsContinue reading “Reading: Dispara, yo ya estoy muerto”

Biscochitos

It’s cookie time! Biscochitos are traditional anise-flavored cookies from New Mexico. You can find them around the state and they are a special holiday staple. Biscochito is the diminutive form of bizcocho in Spanish, which basically means “biscuit”. The biscochito is New Mexico’s Official State Cookie! They were first introduced to New Mexico by Spanish colonists who settled inContinue reading “Biscochitos”