Since its inception in the spring of 2015, the Helena María Viramontes Annual Lecture in Latina/o/x Literature has served as a cornerstone of celebration and scholarship at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB).
Founded to honor the prolific Chicana writer Helena María Viramontes, this annual event has grown into a tradition that brings together renowned authors, scholars, and the local community to honor Latina/o/x literature and culture.
The upcoming 8th Annual Helena María Viramontes Lecture continues this legacy with two events scheduled in April. The first will occur on Thursday, April 11th, at the Anatol Center on the CSULB campus with Myriam Gurba, a distinguished writer and artist.
Gurba is widely recognized for her true crime memoir “Mean,” which was selected as a New York Times Editors’ Choice and hailed as one of the best LGBTQ books of all time according to O, The Oprah Magazine. Attendees can anticipate a reading and Q&A session followed by an engaging discussion of Gurba’s work and unique perspective during this event.
The second event will occur on Thursday, April 18th, at the University Theatre, and feature poet, novelist, and essayist Dr. Ana Castillo.
Castillo’s books “So Far From God” and “Loverboys” were included on the list of banned books approved by the Tucson Unified School District in Arizona. As attendees gather for the reading and Q&A session with Dr. Castillo, they can expect to delve into the complexities of her themes and gain insight into her journey as a Chicana writer.
These events, organized by the CSULB Helena Maria Viramontes Annual Lecture in Latina/o Literature Organizing Committee, underscore the university’s commitment to fostering dialogue and appreciation for Latina/o/x voices in literature.
Reflecting on the history of the lecture series, committee member Anna Sandoval emphasizes its significance in engaging both the campus and the greater Southern California communities.
Over the years, the lecture series has showcased an array of talent, from fiction writers to poets, reflecting the diversity of Latina/o/x literature. Sandoval notes, “Each year, we seek to bring writers who represent the wide diversity of voices within our communities.”
The primary audience for these events is college students, many of whom may encounter Latina/o/x literature for the first time. Sandoval hopes to inspire students to explore literature further and perhaps even encourage them to pursue studies in English, Chicano Studies or related fields.
Indeed, the impact of the Helena María Viramontes Lecture Series intends to extend far beyond the lecture hall. The lectures aim to serve as a transformative experience, sparking a newfound appreciation and understanding of Latina/o/x cultural heritage.
“When I was a junior in college, I was introduced to this material—to Chicana and Chicano writers— and I knew I wanted to further explore this body of literature. I thought to myself, ‘This is what resonates with my experience, these stories are so powerful!’ So we hope we can instill that same excitement into the people who come, and we hope they are inspired to join and support the community in any way they can.”
As CSULB prepares to host Myriam Gurba and Ana Castillo for the 8th Annual Helena María Viramontes Lecture, it continues to honor its mission of promoting cultural understanding and engagement, ensuring that Latina/o/x literature remains an integral part of academic discourse and community life.
To learn more about these events, visit www.viramonteslecture.com.
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