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 Luis Leal "Mitos y Leyendas de México / Myths and Legends of Mexico" Presented by the IHC Chicano/Latino/Mexican Studies Research Focus Group Wednesday, November 5 / 4 P.M. / Free McCune Conference Room, 6020 Humanities and Social Sciences Building Luis Leal will discuss his latest book, Myths and Legends of Mexico (UCSB Center for Chicano Studies, 2003) at 4 P.M. on Wednesday, November 5. Courtesy of the UCSB Bookstore, copies of Myths and Legends of Mexico will be available for purchase and signing at this event. The proceeds from the book will be used to establish a fellowship for Chicano students About the Book: Mitos y Leyendas de México/Myths and Legends of Mexico is a bilingual collection of 20 myths dating from Pre-Hispanic Mexico, some from the Mayas, and others from the Toltecs and Aztecs. Large and visually striking, the book was illustrated by local Mexican artist Álvaro Ángeles Suman, translated by University of Illinois graduate student Amanda Harris-Fonseca, and published by UCSB's Center for Chicano Studies. About the Author: Leal was born in 1907 and grew up in Mexico City during the Mexican Revolution. He came to the United States seeking a college education and earned a bachelor's degree at Northwestern University. After a hiatus to serve in World War II, Leal – at age 43 and a U.S. citizen – earned his doctorate from the University of Chicago. After a career teaching at the University of Mississippi, Emory University, and the University of Illinois, Leal "retired" to the Santa Barbara area at the age of 69, only to quickly join the faculty at UCSB as a research fellow once the Center for Chicano Studies was established. Leal has enjoyed a distinguished career as one of the most highly regarded scholars of Mexican and Latin American literature, and was one of the first to draw attention to this relatively new field of study. He is the author of over 30 books and 300 articles. In 1988, he received the Distinguished Scholarly Award from the National Association for Chicano Studies in recognition of his lifetime achievement. In 1995, UCSB created the Luis Leal Endowed Chair in Chicano Studies – currently held by Maria Herrera-Sobek – in recognition of his accomplishments. Earlier this year, UCSB and the Santa Barbara Book & Author Festival created what they believe to be the nation's first writing prize in the genre of Chicano and Latino literature. And they named the award in honor of Leal. The inaugural Luis Leal Award for Distinction in Chicano/Latino Literature will be presented on September 20 during this year's festival and will recognize an accomplished writer of the Chicano/Latino experience. Leal has also received high cultural honors from the Mexican and American governments. In 1992, Mexican President Salinas awarded Leal the Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle, the highest award granted to foreign citizens. It was President Bill Clinton who presented Leal with the National Humanities Medal in 1997. This event is cosponsored by the UCSB Bookstore, IHC Chicano/Latino/Mexican Studies Research Focus Group, and the Interdisciplinary Humanities Center. |