The eighth edition of “Azahares” -- the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith’s Spanish
literary magazine featuring artwork, short stories and poems from authors across the
world -- is now available.
Dr. Mary Sobhani of Fort Smith, faculty member in the Department of World Languages and managing editor of the magazine, lauded the work published in this year’s edition, especially the short story “Pompilio” by UAFS student Jose Enrique Pallais.
“Through a first-person narrator who can be understood as a member of the one-percent, this story captures the disregard and voluntary blindness of the affluent toward those in financially less-fortunate conditions,” Sobhani said. “It’s a thoughtful, subtle and well-crafted piece.”
A section of the magazine is also dedicated to Latino youth, featuring artwork and literature by junior high and high school students from schools in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Sobhani pointed to the poem “Mi Castillo” by junior high student Stephanie Garcia as a shining example of the students’ quality of work.
“With six short verses, the author gives us a glimpse of the creative power of the imagination, and presents mundane items transformed into much more, all of it grounded in her ‘kingdom’ of Mexico,” Sobhani said.
The magazine also features digital photography, ranging from panoramic views of Spanish architecture to intimate snapshots of the streets of El Salvador.
Included in the publication are works by:
Alma: Tim Van Dyke.
Athens, Ohio: Pepo Delgado Costa.
Barcelona, Spain: Adolfo Escat.
Fort Smith: Marta Bran, Marden I. Ortiz, Jose Enrique Pallais, Karina Piedra, Marving Reyes, Justin Rosa
Gainesville, Fla.: Carlos Andres Bertoglio.
Hartford: Danyell Farris.
Howe, Okla.: Yazmin Castanon.
Hudson, N.H.: Juliette Miller.
Lincoln, Neb.: Raul Palma.
Manila, the Philippines: John Paul Egalin Abellera.
Monmouth, Ill.: Edith Gabel.
Orocovis, Puerto Rico: Kidany Acevedo - Miranda.
Puerto Rico: Jose Montiel.
Rogers: Andrea Castaneda, Paola Domínguez, Stephanie Garcia, Juana Gaspar, Giselle Nieves, Alex Perea and Luz Carrasco Soto.
San Salvador, El Salvador: Miroslava Rosales.
Seattle, Wash.: Jorge Enrique Gonzalez Pacheco.
Vandervoort: Emily Randall.
The “Azahares” 2015 editorial board consists of Sobhani, Dr. Rosario Nolasco-Schultheiss, Madeline Martinez and Dr. Francesco Tarelli. The publication of the magazine is made possible through the support of Dr. Paul Beran, UAFS chancellor; Dr. Georgia Hale, provost; and Joe Hardin, dean of the College of Languages and Communication. Cover art and magazine layout were designed by Daniel Wiggins 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 at mary.sobhani@uafs.edu or 479-788-79798