The phenomenon of Chicago-based Latin American authors such as Francisco González Crussí, Marco Escalante, Raúl Dorantes, etc., has been overlooked by contemporary literary critics in the area. This is the case, perhaps, because it is a relatively recent movement that has been growing in the last 20 years. However, these authors have published their work both in the United States as well as in Spanish-speaking countries throughout these years, creating a network that has fostered a sense of community, while, at the same time, raising questions about what it means to be a Spanish-language author in the United States.
Our purpose is to promote a growing body of literature written in Spanish by Latin American authors. An event like this is especially relevant because, as the Spanish-speaking community grows and evolves in Chicago, so do our experience and challenges, which is the material many of our authors reflect on and write about. More importantly, this is a great opportunity to inspire students of both Spanish and Spanish-language literature to get to know authors writing in their own language in person.
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