A tribute recordando a Rudolfo A. Anaya: from Aztlán to Mictlán

Abstract

This represents an intimate tribute to the New Mexican writer Rudolfo A. Anaya shortly after his death on June 28, 2020. He stood out as one of the more outstanding writers of the Chicano novel-especially the unforgettable “Bless Me, Ultima”-where he explored his region's (eastern New Mexico) stories and tales about regular people sometimes coupled with magical-real occurrences. He was deeply motivated and inspired by folkloric storytelling via legend and myth, thus tapping into ageless characters, owls, golden carps, subterranean lakes and the captivating nature of La Llorona. He also delved into numerous other genres, such as the fictional memoir, poetry, theatre, essay and children's literature. He was a quiet leader of Chicano/a literature: both as a creator, editor and promoter. His inquisitive imagination led him to explore many themes related to the cycles of life, for example, rites of passage, levels of concientización, aging and death and other universal truths the individual must encounter.