Vanushca Cárdenas Baraja was the daughter of a gypsy family who migrated from Hungary to Guatemala in the early twentieth century. She and her family worked for a travelling circus that performed around the country for a while before settling down in Xela for several months. The shows were very popular and [...]

by Diana Pastor

Continuing on from last month’s recommendations of Latin American authors this month we will be recommending some of the most significant writers from Guatemala.

The first is Humberto Akabal, an Indigenous poet born in Momostenango Totonicapán. His poetic style is simple but powerful and profound. His poems are always written [...]

By Patricia Escalon

If you survived August in Xela, you probably think you can sleep in again in September. Well, all those school bands that kept you from a good lie in are nothing in comparison to the Independence Festivities. However, if you are freshly arrived and wanting [...]

The Feria was first held back in 1884 in the Canton San Nicolas. It’s had various different homes over the years, but finally settled down in 1984 in order to celebrate its 100 year anniversary. The fairgrounds – CEFEMERQ – are now held each year in the same place, just outside of town.

You can [...]

First up the biggest news of August: Guatemala won its first EVER medal in the Olympics this month! Erick Barrondo took the silver medal in the 20km race walk, after being narrowly beaten by China’s Ding Chen. The 20km walk is a peculiar competition which has judges throughout the race watching everyone’s knees and hips [...]