Join us for a celebration marking the second century of Alejandro Tapia y Rivera (1826–1882), widely considered the founder of Puerto Rican literature. This event will showcase his lasting impact and importance as a novelist, playwright, and commentator on the political and cultural ideas of his era, both across the Caribbean and in Spain.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Mosher Alumni House (Board Room)
Schedule of Events
2:00 PM – 2:10 PM | Welcome
2:10 PM – 3:15 PM | Tapia, His Times and Ours
“Women and Social Progress: The Feminist Essays by Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda y Alejandro Tapia y Rivera”, Dr. Marisol Ramos (UCSB Library)
“Life-Writing as Historiography: Alejandro Tapia and his Memorias”, Professor Leo Cabranes-Grant (UCSB; Spanish and Portuguese, Theater and Dance)
3:15 PM – 3:30 PM | Coffee Break
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM | Keynote Address
“Alejandro Tapia y Rivera and Ramón Emeterio Betances: Liberal Spiritualism and Revolutionary Gothic”, Professor César A. Salgado (University of Texas, Austin; Comparative Literature, Spanish and Portuguese)
Event Co-Sponsors
Department of Spanish and Portuguese, Comparative Literature Program, Center for Latin American and Iberian Research, and Graduate Center for Literary Studies.