Spanish Connections

Una Noche de Inspiración en los International Latino Book Awards Recibir un reconocimiento en los International Latino Book Awards fue una experiencia profundamente significativa. Más allá del honor personal, fue un encuentro inspirador con autores de muchos países, todos unidos por una misma pasión: la escritura, las ideas y el deseo de mantener viva la riqueza de nuestras culturas a través de las palabras. La ceremonia fue una verdadera celebración del talento latino —de voces diversas que están transformando el panorama literario tanto en español como en inglés. Escuchar las historias detrás de cada libro, los sueños y desafíos de tantos creadores, fue un poderoso recordatorio de que la literatura sigue siendo un puente que une comunidades. Lo más alentador es ver cómo el número de lectores en español continúa creciendo. Cada vez más personas descubren nuestras historias, nuestras tradiciones y nuestras formas únicas de ver el mundo. Esa es la mayor motivación para seguir escrib...

        A Night of Inspiration at the International Latino Book Awards Receiving recognition at the International Latino Book Awards was a deeply meaningful experience. Beyond the personal honor, it was an inspiring encounter with authors from many countries, all united by a shared passion for writing, for ideas, and for keeping the richness of our cultures alive through words. The ceremony was a true celebration of Latino talent — of diverse voices that are transforming the literary landscape in both Spanish and English. Listening to the stories behind each book, the dreams and challenges of so many creators, was a powerful reminder that literature continues to be a bridge that connects communities. What’s most encouraging is seeing how the number of Spanish-language readers keeps growing. More and more people are discovering our stories, our traditions, and our unique ways of seeing the world. That is the greatest motivation to keep writing — knowing that there are...

  Carlota Roa Receives Honorable Mention at the International Latino Book Awards San Diego, California, 2025 — Writer Carlota Roa has been honored with an Honorable Mention at the International Latino Book Awards , one of the most prestigious literary recognitions in the United States dedicated to literature in both Spanish and English. The award was granted for her book Calaveras Literarias , a work that pays tribute to the Mexican tradition of calaveras —literary skulls—blending creativity, satire, and poetry in a unique style that resonates with readers of all ages. With this recognition, Roa strengthens her position as a prominent voice in contemporary Latin American literature, showcasing the cultural and literary richness of Mexico to an international audience. “Receiving this distinction is an honor I share with my community and with all those who keep the tradition of calaveras literarias alive,” the author said. The International Latino Book Awards , organized by Latin...

 Carlota Roa recibe Mención Honorífica en los International Latino Book Awards San Diego, California, 2025 — La escritora Carlota Roa fue reconocida con una Mención Honorífica en los International Latino Book Awards, uno de los premios literarios más importantes de Estados Unidos dedicados a la literatura en español e inglés. El reconocimiento fue otorgado por su obra Calaveras Literarias, un libro que rinde homenaje a la tradición mexicana de las calaveras, fusionando creatividad, sátira y poesía en un estilo propio que conecta con lectores de todas las edades. Con este galardón, Roa consolida su posición como una voz destacada en la literatura latinoamericana contemporánea, proyectando la riqueza cultural y literaria de México hacia un público internacional. “Recibir esta distinción es un honor que comparto con mi comunidad y con todas las personas que mantienen viva la tradición de las calaveras literarias”, expresó la autora. Los International Latino Book Awards, organizados po...

                            CarlotaRoa@ The Apples of Gustavo Kraitz: More Than Fruit—Memory and Art When we think of an apple, something simple might come to mind: a red, juicy fruit, a symbol of health or temptation. But in the hands of artist Gustavo Kraitz, an apple becomes something much deeper—a metaphor for memory, human fragility, and a history that must not be forgotten. Gustavo Kraitz, an Argentine sculptor living in Sweden, is known for his series of apple sculptures made of ceramics, bronze, and stone. One of his most powerful works is the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial , where dozens of stone apples rest silently at the base of the monument, alluding to the lives lost during the Holocaust. But why an apple? In Kraitz’s work, the apple doesn’t symbolize sin or temptation. It represents interrupted everyday life. It is the object left behind on a kitchen table, in a schoolbag, in a story that was never finished....

                        CarlotaRoa@ Tucked into the scenic hills of Los Gatos, Burrell School Winery offers more than just a tasting—it’s a full experience that blends education, beauty, and flavor in one unforgettable visit.   Learn As You Walk Here, you don’t just sip wine—you walk the land and learn its story. Guided by Dave, the charismatic and incredibly knowledgeable owner, you’ll stroll through the picturesque vineyards while learning about:  The different grape varieties and how they’re grown  The agricultural side of winemaking  How soil, climate, and altitude shape each wine’s personality Dave isn’t just a winemaker—he’s a true wine educator, full of charm, experience, and passion that make learning fun and memorable. Taste with All Your Senses As you learn, you taste—this is where the real magic happens. Each class or tour includes a curated wine tasting, paired with:  Fresh, seasonal tapas ...

                           Carlota Roa@ Between Sky and Fog: Alebrijes in San Francisco There are places where cultures not only coexist but embrace each other. Where the colors of an ancestral tradition can dance atop the modern concrete of a futuristic city. San Francisco is one of those places. And in its multicultural heart, an enchanted echo resounds: the brilliant whisper of the alebrijes , those mythical beings born from the fevered dream of Pedro Linares in Mexico, now walk — or fly — among San Francisco’s gardens. Alebrijes: Guardians of the Mexican Soul Alebrijes are not just papier-mâché figures. They are poetry in form, dreams painted with soul. Surreal, magical, and deeply spiritual, these fantastic beings combine parts of real and imagined animals. Born in Mexico City in the 1930s, they have since protected Mexican identity as totems of resistance and vibrant color. An Enchanted Juxtaposition The j...