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Dear Latin Americanist Community,
This is the final newsletter of the 2025-2026 academic year. It certainly went by quickly but not without significant turmoil for us due to the cancellation of federal funding. Despite adverse circumstances, the Latin American Institute and its centers and working groups organized a vibrant program of activities, supported numerous departments and centers throughout the university in their Latin America-related events and seminars, and sustained a dynamic outreach program aimed at K-12 educators. The activities of our outreach program will culminate in mid-June with a three-day workshop entitled “More Than a Game: Soccer, Migration and Community,” which has generated a lot of interest among teachers. Also, the LAI just awarded 16 summer research grants to graduate students working across the disciplines and in countries all over Latin America and the Caribbean for a total of $28,000.
We have one event left this quarter. On Thursday, June 4, the LAI’s Central American Studies Working Group is organizing Poetry as Liberation, featuring readings by Central American poets Chelsea Guevara and Willy Palomo. The event will be followed by an end of the year celebration.
On a separate front, ¡felicidades! to master son jarocho musician César Castro, a long-time collaborator of the LAI, who is completing his first quarter teaching the son jarocho ensemble class in the Department of Ethnomusicology. As part of the culmination of this course, students and community members will host a fandanguito in the patio of the Schoenberg Music Building, on Wednesday, June 3, at 7 pm (see below for details).
On behalf of all at the Latin American Institute, congratulations to all the graduates and their families and good luck with your postgraduate plans. Stay in touch!
I close this message wishing you an enjoyable summer and inviting you to give to the mission of the UCLA Latin American Institute and its centers, programs, and working groups. Your generous contributions support the lively intellectual life of the institute, student research, and our vibrant outreach activities. Thanks!
Rubén Hernández-León,
Director of the UCLA Latin American Institute
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