October 09, 2007
Queens, N.Y. -
Queens Poet Laureate Julio Marzán joins Epsilon Kappa in
celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month
The St. John’s University Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the
National Spanish Honor Society, will launch the 13th issue of its
literary journal Entre Rascacielos on October 17 at 6:30 p.m., as
part of National Hispanic Culture and Heritage Month. 2007
Queens Poet Laureate Julio Marzán, will be in attendance and will
read selections from the journal.
The journal, under the Direction of Dr. Marie-Lise Gazarian,
Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Spanish and Moderator of the
Chapter at St. John’s, and Mónica Sánchez (’95SJC, ’97 SJC), former
President of the Chapter, has brought together some of the most
outstanding voices from St. John’s University, both alumni and
present members. The book jackets have been designed by Kathryn
Damskiy (’03SJC), a talented St. John’s alumna in graphic
design.
Created in 2001, the journal has served as a forum and an
incentive for creative writing for both St. John’s students and the
Hispanic community. Included in the present issue, are the works of
the five winners of the first Poetry Contest for High School
Students, sponsored by Epsilon Kappa: Krystal Giardiana, of
Malverne High School; Richie Guarnieri, of W. T. Clarke High School
(East Meadow School District); Fabiane de Souza, St. Vincent Ferrer
High School; Peter Averso, of East Meadow High School; and Michelle
Witrock, of Port Jefferson High School / Earl L. Vandermeulen High
School. Students and alumni, whose works are included in the
journal, will read selections of their poetry.
Marzán, who was appointed Poet Laureate of the Borough of Queens
in 2007, will be interviewed by Dr. Gazarian following the
readings. Marzan has published two books of poetry,
Translations Without Originals, and Puerta de tierra (in Spanish),
as well as his translations of Selected Poems: Luis Palés Matos.
His poems appear in several college texts, among them the last four
editions of The Bedford Introduction to Literature. In 2005, he
published his first novel, The Bonjour Gene (U. Wisconsin). He is
also the author of the ground-breaking The Spanish American Roots
of William Carlos Williams (U. Texas, 1994). His poems have also
appeared in Parnassus, Massachusetts Review, Tin House, New
Letters, and Harper's Magazine. In Spring, 2006 Marzán served as
Visiting Associate Professor of Romance Languages at Harvard
University and he is currently an Associate Professor of English at
S.U.N.Y/Nassau Community College.
The event, which is open to the public, will take place on
October 17, in Bent Hall, Rooms 277 A & B, at 6:30 p.m., St.
John’s University, Queens Campus. Refreshments will be served.