Stamping Mariachi Music into History
The United States Postal Service debuted a new set of stamps featuring mariachi two years ago. And they’re still creating buzz. They’re stamped into the nation’s history, thanks to a Mexican artist’s unique vision. The Postal Service had asked Artist Rafael López to design “a commemorative stamp representing Latin American culture in the United States,” […]
Beyond ‘Hola’: Exploring Spanish Phone Greetings
After 40 years of living in the United States, my Spanish-speaking Abuelita always answered the telephone the same way: “¿Oigo?” She lived with us, so I heard oigo on a daily basis. And, no matter how many times I tried to get her to just say “hello,” like the americanos, she wouldn’t budge from her […]
Fact vs. Fiction: Understanding Sofia Vergara’s Griselda
Growing up in Miami during the 1980s was a challenging time. The “Magic City,” as Miami is now dubbed for its ability to redefine itself, was plagued by violence, thanks to the cocaine wars. I know. I grew up in Miami back then. What I didn’t know it at the time, of course, was that, thousands […]
Sound & Silence: The Controversy Behind Frida Kahlo’s Voice Recording
A new Frida Kahlo documentary debuted at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. It claims to be the first film to be told by the artist herself. Through diary entries and personal letters, her voice tells her life story, in her own words. There’s just one thing this documentary leaves out: the […]
Making Scents Of Agua de Violetas
If you’ve been around a baby, any baby, in Miami, you know the scent of Royal Violets Baby Cologne, or Violets Water, or Agua de Violetas. And it’s way more than a scent. It’s a way of life. This cologne is part of millions of lives, from birth to adulthood, thanks to Abuelas who always […]
The Controversial History of Taco Bowls
A giant fried tortilla shaped like a bowl. Lettuce. Tomatoes. Shredded cheese. Chicken or beef. All the necessary ingredients that make up a taco. But deconstructed. They’re taco bowls, or taco salad, or taco tostada salads. And they take the average “Taco Tuesday” to another level. But how did this creation – a tasty twist on the classic TexMex […]
Passion, Politics, & Tragedy: Frida Kahlo and Leon Trotsky’s Affair
In Frida Kahlo’s short, but colorful, life, one chapter still stands out: her love affair with the exiled Russian communist revolutionary Leon Trotsky. Their intense affair only lasted two years, but her art remains, offering a glimpse of love and politics that defined an era. Their connection unfolded against the backdrop of political turbulence, from […]
Beyond Survival: The True Story of ‘Society of the Snow’
Half a century has passed since fate turned Fernando “Nando” Parrado into the face of an incredible true story: the leader who emerged from the legendary Andes plane crash. Back in 1972, a 21-year-old Parrado became the beacon of hope for fellow survivors, leading them through 71 harrowing days devoid of food, water, and hope. […]
Pozole Chronicles: From Complexity to Comfort
When it comes to comfort food, pozole stands out as a family favorite. It’s a hearty soup filled with pork, hominy, and a flavorful blend of garlic and chiles. Its name traces back to the Nahuatl word “pozolli” or “posolli,” meaning a stew of maize kernels, highlighting its deep-rooted connection to ancient traditions. Yet, beyond […]
Frida Kahlo’s Arrests and Artistic Resilience
Mexican artist and feminist icon Frida Kahlo is probably the most famous artist in the world. In the past decade, her work has sold for millions at auction, breaking records for paintings by any Latin American artist. And details of her life are often celebrated in books, plays, operas, and even gardening exhibits. Yet, woven […]
Intangible Gems: The Rise of Peruvian Ceviche
Maybe you missed it, but Peruvian ceviche made headlines recently. Like Korean Kimchi before it, Peruvian ceviche – namely the practices and meanings associated with the preparation and consumption of it – just made its way onto the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This means the UN […]
Frida Kahlo’s Garden: A Battleground of Politics and Nature
We know Frida Kahlo through her striking self-portraits, with flowers in her hair. What many may not know is that the very blossoms woven into her braids likely originated from her enclosed garden at Casa Azul, where she was born in 1907 and died in 1954. The most famous Mexican painter and feminist icon was […]