August 17, 2006 Oscar Hijuelos and Lori Carlson to Talk About Cuban Poetry Sept. 20

Oscar Hijuelos and Lori Marie Carlson will discuss their new book, "Burnt Sugar Caña Quemada: Contemporary Cuban Poetry, Translations and the Originals," at the Library of Congress at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 20, in the Mary Pickford Theater on the third floor of the James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C.

A book signing will follow the presentation, which is part of the Books & Beyond author series sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. The Library's Hispanic Division is co-sponsoring the event. The program is free and open to the public; no tickets or reservations are required.

Hijuelos, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, and Carlson, a best-selling translator, have assembled and translated a collection of modern Cuban poems that they consider most representative of what it means to be Cuban. Among the poets included are Severo Sarduy, Heberto Padilla, Angel Cuadra, Fayad Jamis, Rita Geada, José Kozer, Emilio Ballagas and many more. Many of these poems have never been translated into English and, according to the editors, "produce a vibrant, satisfying sound and vivid imagery."

Carlson translated and edited bilingual works such as "Red Hot Salsa: Being Young and Latino in the United States" (2005) and "Cool Salsa" (1994). Novels by Hijuelos include "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love" (1989), which won the 1990 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, and "Empress of the Splendid Sea" (1999).

The Hispanic Division, established in 1939, is the Library's center for the study of the cultures and societies of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Iberian Peninsula and other areas where Spanish or Portuguese influence have been significant. For more information, visit www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic.

The Center for the Book, established in 1977 as a public-private partnership, uses the resources of the Library of Congress to stimulate public interest in books and reading. For information about its projects and publications and the activities of its affiliates in 50 states and the District of Columbia, visit www.loc.gov/cfbook.