Border Literature Conference This Weekend at TAMIU

A premiere literary conference will take place this weekend at Texas A&M International University as the Sexto Encuentro de Literatura Fronteriza: Letras en el Borde (Sixth Meeting of Border Literature: Letters on the Border) brings writers from both Mexico and the United States to Laredo.

The annual conference will take place Saturday, April 12 at the Western Hemispheric Trade Center at TAMIU and will feature readings, discussions and narrations of various works including those of Alberto Ruy Sánchez, Concha Méndez, Maya Islas and Gladys Triana as well as local writers Sue Bishop and Randy Koch. Registration will be held from 10-10:45 a.m. in Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 111 with concurrent sessions running from 11 a.m. - 7:15 p.m.

The event, most of which will be conducted in Spanish with the exception of readings of a few works, is free and open to the public.

The keynote speaker for the event is Mexican writer Alberto Ruy Sánchez.

Conference participants have the option of meeting other conference speakers and participants at "La casa de la Cultura" (Cultural Center) in Nuevo Laredo Friday, April 11 from 4-7 p.m. and to later join the group for "tapas" or Spanish fingerfoods Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m. at Kapital, a Spanish-style restaurant in Laredo from 7-10 p.m.

Also at the Conference, TAMIU assistant professor of Spanish José Cardona-López will introduce his latest book of short stories titled, "Siete y Tres Nueve."

Copies of the book, published in Colombia, will also be available for purchase during the event, along with other books.

A reception provided by the Mexican Consulate on Saturday from 7:30-10 p.m., will close the Conference in Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 111.

For further information, please contact conference organizers, Dr. José Cardona-López, at 326-2690 or Dr. Bill Nichols, 326-2610.

University office hours during the Spring semester are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu