LatAm in Focus: Remembering Mario Vargas Llosa

Vargas Llosa was a frequent visitor to Americas Society over the years. He came for symposiums, to discuss novels, and was honored with Americas Society’s Gold Medal in the 1970s. The author was part of Americas Society Literature Advisory Board, as the institution was a true home for many writers from the region during what English readers call the “Boom” years of the 1960s and ‘70s.

This special bonus episode of Latin America in Focus features an English-language conversation between Vargas Llosa and legendary translator Edith Grossman, recorded at Americas Society in 2012, to promote his novel The Dream of the Celt, translated by Grossman.

“Words can become acts. You can change the world. You can change history writing. So writing is a kind of power that you have in your hands. Use it, and use it not only to produce beauty, but to change everything that is wrong around you,” said Vargas Llosa.

With Grossman and in an audience Q&A, Vargas Llosa speaks on his personal reading practices, the relationship between history and fiction in his works, Faulkner, and more.

This podcast was produced by associate producers Chase Harrison and Khalea Robertson. Luisa Leme is our host and executive producer.

The music in this podcast is by Pedro Ximénez de Abrill Tirado. It was composed in the 1820s in Arequipa and was performed by Eybler Quartet for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at musicoftheamericas.org.

Listen to LatAm in Focus: Beyond the Boom—Latin American Writing in Translation  a previous episode in which translators discuss the state of Latin American letters in English and honor the legacy of Edith Grossman.

And consider becoming a member of Americas Society. You can enjoy art talks by Latin American authors, current events discussions, and get preferential seating at concerts happening here at Americas Society in New York.

Send us feedback at: latamfocus@as-coa.org

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Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.