Event details
The Future of Maya Literature: Reading & Discussion
with Visiting Writer Luis Antonio Canché Briceño
Please join OSTI at Mother Foucault's Bookshop on Monday, December 29 at 5:00 p.m. for an end-of-the year reading and discussion to celebrate Indigenous languages and Yucatec Maya literature and culture. This event features a reading of short stories and poetry by the internationally renowned, award-winning writer and Maya language activist Luis Antonio Canché Briceño. Luis Antonio is winner of the 2022 “Prize for Indigenous Literatures of America,” the 2024 “Tetseebo Award for Stories Written in Original Languages,” and the 2025 “First Literature Prize in Indigenous Languages” in poetry. Luis Antonio Canché Briceño’s presentation and discussion will be held in Yucatec Maya and Spanish, with Oregon Society of Translators and Interpreters (OSTI) president Allison deFreese facilitating English language access and interpreting for all. Everyone is welcome and we hope to see you there.
About the presenter:
Born in Mérida, Yucatán (México) Luis Antonio Canché Briceño was raised and lives today in Chumayel, Yucatán, a town of 3,000 people where he grew up speaking the Maya language. Today, Luis Antonio is a writer, poet, and Professor of Mathematics at the UADY (Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán). He is author of several bilingual books of fiction; each published as bilingual editions in Yucatec Maya and Spanish. In 2022, he was recipient of the prestigious international “Prize for Indigenous Literatures of America” (PLIA), presented at the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL), for his book of short stories: K’i’ixib máako’ob / Los hombres espinados (The Thorny Men). In 2024, he received the “Tetseebo Award for Stories Written in Original Languages” from the Tijuana Cultural Center for his book: U k’iinilo’ob tomojchi’ / Días de mal presagio (Days of Bad Omens). He is also winner of the State of Guerrero’s 2025 “First Literature Prize in Indigenous Languages” in the category of poetry for his book of verse U t’u’ul beejilo’ob kaaj ma’ ich u tu’ubsa’al / Senderos de un pueblo que no se olvida (The Trails Through a Town That Has Not Been Forgotten). Luis Antonio Canché Briceñois an active member of the National System for Artistic Creators under the category of Literary Arts and Letters in Indigenous Languages.
About the host:
Poet and translator Allison deFreese is president of the Oregon Society of Translators and Interpreters (OSTI). She is currently collaborating on literary translations with writers from the Yucatan Peninsula including Karla Marrufo, Janil Uc Tun, and Nidia Cuan.
Also, please save the date!
Join OSTI for a dinner to celebrate the New Year on Saturday, January 24!
Place TBD . . . but save the date!