Poet Jose Kozer to Visit TAMIU

A bilingual poetry recital featuring Poet, Jose Kozer's newest collection will take place on November 14, 2011 and will be open to the general public at the Texas A&M International University's Killam Library. The event is to be hosted by Associate Professor of Spanish, Dr. Jose Cardona and Acquisitions Librarian, Rogelio Hinojosa.

After an effort of two years, a group of TAMIU Spanish Professors and Librarians selected books from Jose Kozer's private collections, which will finally be available at TAMIU. Cardona stated, "Retired Cuban, Jose Kozer, is one of the most important poets of this time for the Hispanic world." Cardona explained that TAMIU financially provided these selections because he wanted to share the bilingual collection to all readers and he knew TAMIU's support would be unfailing.  "The Jose Kozer collection is available to the entire Laredo community so they may do their research on poetry here at TAMIU."

Kozer's poems include De Anima, Me Voy, and Un escalera de Caracol. "Let us open ourselves to the world through our literature; it begins here" Cardona said. "Art is what saves the world." Cardona's Undergraduate Spanish students were recommended to read the Kozer publications to broaden their knowledge of the poet. Two students from Texas A&M University at College Station will also join the poetry event as part of their degree requirement. "It is very important that my students attend, especially the Master students, but the entire community and the sister city is invited," Cardona said.

Additionally, Cardona mentioned that poets usually come to Laredo but speak only English. This event will be an opportunity for Laredo to thrive in its Hispanic culture. "The community of Laredo and even Nuevo Laredo, need poetry like any other place in the world," Cardona stated.

The event will include a digital presentation, recited poems by students, and a reception after the event. A round table discussion with the visiting students from Texas A&M of College Station will take place. The use of photography, video, and audio will be acceptable during event. The event's program, which includes information about time, is still underway and information will be further released in the TAMIU calendar at www.tamiu.edu.  In the future Cardona and all who help the Spanish literary cause want to keep inviting poets and novelist so the students can get to know these artists on a one to one basis. "Literature is for the whole world and even more, the poetry," Cardona said.

For more information, please contact Dr. Cardona-López, at 326.2690, e-mail cardona@tamiu.edu or visit offices in Pellegrino Hall 314F or Rogelio Hinojosa at Library's web site:  http://library.tamiu.edu/, visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, or call 956.326.2400. To view Kozer's poems or view other poets, visit http://amediavoz.com.

(Contact Bridge Reporter(s), Claudia M. Torres at cayitamtoles@dusty.tamiu.edu and/ or Margaret Rose Medellin at margaretmedellin@dusty.tamiu.edu)