The seventh edition of “Azahares,” the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith’s annual literary magazine celebrating Spanish culture, is now available.

 

Mary Sobhani of Fort Smith, faculty member in the Department of World Languages and managing editor of the magazine, said the 31 writers and artists whose work is displayed in the magazine reflect the excellence of this year’s submissions.

 

“The editorial board is delighted with the range and quality of works received this year,” Sobhani said. “Sierra Mendoza’s ‘Como me hice mexicana,’ for instance, offers the story of how the narrator ‘became’ Mexican, while E.G. Willy’s short story ‘El pacto’ reveals the strange occurrences surrounding three unlikely named friends: James Bond, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Humphrey Bogart.”

 

Sobhani also complimented the quality of poetry and artwork in the magazine.

 

“There is thought-provoking poetry in this edition, not least of which is Iris Permuy’s ‘Cambiame’ and UAFS student Marden Ortiz’s ‘Delirio,’” she said. “UAFS student Emma Shockley draws from her experiences studying abroad in Costa Rica in her contribution ‘Paciencia,’ a digital photograph which captures the image of white oxen in a state of bovine grace. The artwork of Kristine Frazier in ‘Somos unidos’ emphasizes the underlying unity of all peoples.”

 

The magazine also features a new section titled “Voces de la Juventud Latina” -- Voices of Latin Youth -- which spotlights the work of area high school students.

 

“One of my favorites from this section is a poem entitled ‘Being Hispanic’ by Anthony Calleros,” Sobhani said. “The poetic voice is endearingly frank, with a humorous undertone that recognizes the complexity of the label ‘Hispanic.’”

 

Included in the publication are works by:

 

Brooklyn, N.Y.: Emanuel Xavier.

 

Cartagena, Spain: Iris Permuy.

 

Fayetteville: Jose Lopez Bribiesca and Sierra Mendoza.

 

Fort Smith: Miriam Carreon, Marden Ortiz, Silvia Rosales, Dr. Brenda Ross and Emma Shockley.

 

Howe, Okla.: Yazmin Castanon.

 

Quezon City, The Philippines: John Paul Egalin Abellera.

 

Rogers: Jose Francisco Almaraz, Jovani Bonilla, Tony Calleros, Gregorio Cervantes, Sindy Chavez, Valeria Fraire, Kristine Frazier, Kimberly Herrera, Angie Margarita Marroquin, Luis Martinez, Evelyn Pinto, Gabriela Ramirez, Luis Raya, Adriana Soriano, Chris Soto and Roxana Valdez.

 

San Francisco, Calif.: E.G. Willy.

 

Santa Ana, Calif.: Forest EmberFrost.

 

Springdale: Manuel Rodriguez.

 

Van Buren: Sarah Ramirez.

 

The “Azahares” 2014 editorial board consists of Sobhani, Dr. Rosario Nolasco-Schultheiss, Madeline Martinez, Dr. Brenda Ross and Dr. Francesco Tarelli. The publication of the magazine is made possible through the support of UAFS Chancellor Dr. Paul Beran, Provost Ray Wallace and Joe Hardin, dean of the College of Languages and Communication. Cover art and magazine layout were designed by Maegan Riley of the UAFS Marketing and Communications Office.

 

Free copies of “Azahares” are available at the Boreham Library on UAFS campus, as well as at the Fort Smith Public Library main branch. For more information, contact Sobhani atmary.sobhani@uafs.edu or 479-788-7979.