Events & Venues
Writing and Activism from the Barrio

Writing and Activism from the Barrio

Apr 7

Vander Vennet Theatre

Writing and Activism from the Barrio:
The Life and Work of Róbinson Posada Vargas

 

A bilingual presentation with Colombian writer and activist, Róbinson Posada Vargas. Posada’s cultural production enables us to enter the dynamic world of the urban peripheries through a collective voice from inside the hood.

My purpose, without a doubt, has been to create a tangible and lasting oral memory so that Colombia, through narration and storytelling, does not lose its history or relive misfortunes.

- Róbinson Posada Vargas

For more than twenty years, Róbinson Posada’s career has grown to include work as an actor, comedian, teacher, storyteller, and above all, as an altruistic social leader. Through a diverse cultural production, including storytelling, he portrays people’s idiosyncrasies and reminds us of the importance of oral tradition and literature as tools to represent the reality of the streets and its people. Through his art, Posada reflects marginalized communities so that peace and reconciliation become a palpable fact. 

Since 1995, Posada has been theatrically inspiring critical thinking via artistic representations. The character he created and performs—the Parcero del Popular No. 8—transcends territorial and linguistic borders. Posada has also participated in research projects about parlache, a dialect central to Posada’s writing and storytelling, created by young people in marginalized neighborhoods of Medellín, Colombia. The character performed by Posada foregrounds the truths cradled in the marginal sectors of the city as a mirror of youths around the world. His stories include humor, sarcasm, and irony to create a bridge of sensitivity between narrator, story, and audience, all with the purpose to raise awareness concerning social exclusion and other issues of local and global importance.

To learn more about this artist and community leader, visit robinsonposada.com and join us on April 7 at 6:30 p.m. in Vander Vennet Theater!

Hosted by La Fuerza Student Club in coordination with the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures.

Thanks to the co-sponsors: Center for Women’s Intercultural Leadership, Multicultural & International Student Services and Student Diversity Board.

Free and open to the public!