St. John's University's Chapter of the National Hispanic Honor Society Welcomes Poet and Singer Yolanda Blanco

December 10, 2012

Epsilon Kappa, St. John’s Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Hispanic Honor Society, presents guest speaker, poet and singer Yolanda Blanco at its Christmas Party on December 12, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. at Marillac Terrace on the University’s Queens Campus.

Yolanda Blanco, winner of many literary awards, including the 2005 National Poetry Award Written by Women, is a native Nicaraguan poet known for her poetry in defense of Nature as well as for her reading of works by other poets.

Author of several anthologies, such as Así cuando la lluvia, Cerámica Sol, Penqueo en Nicaragua, Aposentos and De lo urbano y lo sagrado, she is also recognized for her CD Nonantzin, in which she turns poetry into music. An extraordinary mystifying interpreter of her own poetry, she will present   “Mistagogia”, a ritual of inner initiation, where women are messengers of light. The mistagogos are interpreters of the sacred.

During the course of the evening, Dr. Marie-Lise Gazarian, Director of the Graduate Program in Spanish at St. John’s University and co-director with Monica Christopher of Entre Rascacielos, Epsilon Kappa’s journal of creative writing, will interview the Nicaraguan poet.  

Students and alumni will take part in an open reading of their own poetry as well as share their talents with music, songs and dance.

The event is free and open to the public. Food and beverages will be served.

Media inquiries can be directed to Dominic Scianna, Associate Vice President for External Relations, at (718) 990-6185, or e-mail inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu .

Information regarding the National Hispanic Honor Society can be obtained by calling Dr. Gazarian at (718) 990-5209, or Vivian Vescovacci at (718) 990-6314.