volume 46 AY 2020-2021 CLAS Celebrates the Centenary of Manual Zapata Olivella with an International Conference n honor of the centenary of the birth the holdings of Manuel and Delia at Vander- of renowned Afro-Colombian novelist, bilt and in Colombia presented by Diana Manuel Zapata Olivella (1920–2004), the Restrepo (Directora of Colombia’s Biblioteca ILibrary and CLAS co-hosted a long-anticipated Nacional), Paula Covington, and Mauricio international conference this spring, “Celeb- Tovar (Archivo General de la Nación in rando el Legado de Manuel Zapata Olivella en Bogotá). The day closed with a discussion by su Centenario.” Vanderbilt is fortunate to have Marío Henao Restrepo (Director Editorial the Afro-Hispanic collections of both Manuel de las obras de Manuel Zapata Olivella) and and Delia Zapata Olivella. The preservation filmmakerMarino Aguado on the making of and digitization of these much sought-after his documentary, “Zapata, el gran putas.” resources is a joint effort of the CLAS and the Over the following days, panels addressed University Libraries, and will provide open a range of literary, historical, and politi- access to many of the papers. These include cal topics and future needed research and unpublished literary manuscripts, the World scholarship. Edelmira Massa Zapata shared Congresses of Black Culture, radio programs memories of her young life with Delia and papers, and those of his sister, Delia Zapata on Afro-Hispanic folklore, ethnographies, and Manuel, a fitting tribute for the final day of the Olivella. The collection has become one of Delia’s collection of African dance traditions conference. Vanderbilt’s most visited special collections and performance arts. The program, panels, and logistics were and the website, which contains a portion The conference, hosted by CLAS virtu- largely organized by Paula Covington and of the materials, is being used widely by ally April 8–10, brought together prominent William Luis, who also introduced the panels. researchers and students in many countries. scholars from Colombia and the US to focus Thanks also go to the host committee and to “There is such widespread research interest on themes of race, political activism, culture, Colleen McCoy, who coordinated the virtual in these Afro-Hispanic sources that our goal literature, and the performance arts. The aspects of the conference. Other participat- is to digitize these collections to make them upside of moving to a virtual event was that it ing scholars from Vanderbilt included Jane openly accessible to scholars.” She also noted was attended by over 150 people from 12 coun- Landers, Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt the diversity of Manuel’s interests is reflected tries representing more than 80 educational Professor of History; Emanuelle Oliveira- in the collection, so that it is being used by institutions. Some of the scholars plan to Monte, associate professor of Luso-Brazilian students and scholars in many different dis- travel to campus next year to use the Zapata and Afro-Brazilian literature; and Viviana ciplines (e.g., literature, history, anthropology, Olivella papers. Quintero Márquez, doctoral candidate in politics, music, performance arts, and African Attendees were welcomed by Valerie Latin American history. American Studies). Hotchkiss, university librarian and profes- Manuel Zapata Olivella, known through- Since Vanderbilt’s acquisition of the sor of English; Dr. André Churchwell, vice out Latin America as the “Dean of Black collection, CLAS and its graduate students— chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion Hispanic writers,” was also a playwright, folk- working with the library—have played a large and chief diversity officer; andTed Fischer, lorist, anthropologist, and physician. Professor role in promoting access to this collection. Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Anthropol- William Luis describes Manuel as “the most Resources relating to the burgeoning field ogy and director of the CLAS. Edelmira important Afro-Hispanic narrator of the 20th of Afro-Hispanic research are rare and this Massa Zapata, daughter of Delia and niece century. He adds, “Manuel Zapata Olivella collection is one of the library’s most visited of Manuel, introduced a dance performance has received well deserved recognition for his distinctive collections. Students have worked that opened the conference with a lively focus on the people of African descent, not as Library Dean’s Fellows to create research pace. Edelmira is the founding director of only in the history and society of Colombia, essays with accompanying documents for the Fundación Instituto Folclórico Colom- but also in the Americas as a whole.” the website which receives about 500 users biano Delia Zapata Olivella, and the dance Paula Covington, Latin American a month. Topics range from Manuel’s World she choreographed was based on a work and Iberian Studies Librarian and Senior Congresses of Black Culture to his ethno- by Manuel, Fábulas de Tamalameque. The Lecturer of Latin American studies, helped graphic interviews on African and indigenous morning continued with a panel discussion on Vanderbilt acquire Manuel Zapata Olivella’s traditions and his street theater projects. Cont. on Pg. 2 DIRECTOR’S CORNER: EDWARD F. FISCHER his has been a tough year. Our com- physician. The Vanderbilt Library holds Zapata 220 Garland munity thrives on the sort of social and Olivella’s extensive archive, and Paula and CLAS PMB 1804 intellectual interactions that have become have been working over the last years to digitize 2301 Vanderbilt Place difficult, and yet we have adapted in ways that are this treasure trove and make it more widely Nashville, TN 37235-1804 T Tel: 615-322-2527 inspiring. Reading over our Year in Review, I am available. Fax: 615-322-2305 always struck by how much CLAS staff, faculty, Alma Paz-Sanmiguel made sure the Center’s Web: vanderbilt.edu/clas and students do, and this year it is all the more move and daily operations went smoothly—and Director: Edward F. Fischer poignant given the trying circumstances. To give that the students and bills get paid on time!—as Executive Director: Avery Dickins de Girón you a sense of how we have adapted, I offer a few well as reworked the annual Latin American Outreach Coordinator: Colleen McCoy examples: Images photo competition for the pandemic Administrative Assistant II: Colleen McCoy has led our move into the environment. Alma Paz-Sanmiguel Zoom universe, adapting our outreach efforts Avery Dickins de Girón, in addition to teach- LAS Bibliographer: Paula Covington to this new environment. For example, she ing LAS 4901 with Paula Covington and a course organized a virtual workshop for postsecond- in Nursing, has used this year—and an external Steering Committee 2020–2021 Celso Castilho (History) ary educators at HBCUs on “Interdisciplinary grant she received—to build out the Latin Earl Fitz (Spanish and Portuguese) Approaches to Teaching Diversity in the Carib- American Garden with signage, fencing, and Malu Jorge (Biology and Earth and bean Basin” that featured Jane Landers and Frank paths. She has set up an accompanying website, Environmental Sciences) Robinson. She is also leading a vibrant, monthly accessible through QR codes on the signs, that Ryan Middagh/Tom Verrier educator book club, coordinating the Américas provides botanical, historical, and cultural context (Blair School of Music) Brent Savoie (Medicine) Award competition, and has doubled our digital for students and educators. Tiffiny Tung (Anthropology) resources for teachers on our website. It has not been easy, nor perfect, but it is Liz Zechmeister (Political Science) Paula Covington worked with William Luis to inspiring to see how our colleagues have found organize and host a conference to celebrate the ways to pursue our mission of teaching, research, CLAS Regional Affiliated Faculty centenary of Manuel Zapata Olivella, noted Afro- and outreach in this age of COVID-19. Matthew W. Blair, Tennessee State Colombian novelist, anthropologist, folklorist and University (Agricultural and Environmen- tal Sciences) Rhonda Collier, Tuskegee University (English) CLICK HERE FOR THE TABLE OF CONTENTS Theron Corse, Tennessee State University (History) MZO Centenary (Cont. from page 1) Gustavo Goldman, Universidade de São Paulo (Ciencias Farmaceuticas) Students have also helped organize disparate seg- Gregory Hammond, Austin Peay State ments of the collection, create metadata for the University (History) website, link and describe Manuel’s 1500 audio Larry Harrington, former Deputy, Attorney General, State of Tennessee files to add to the website, and create an online David C. LaFevor, University of Texas at guide to the entire collection. This has resulted Arlington (History) in two successful grants for the preservation Michael LaRosa, Rhodes College (History) and digitization of all audio files and a current Jana Morgan, University of Tennessee proposal for digitization of the entire collection (Political Science) Stephen Morris, Middle Tennessee State to make it openly available on the internet for University (Political Science) scholars in Colombia and other parts of the world. Richard Pace, Middle Tennessee State These research projects have given graduate University (Anthropology) students research skills and helped lead them Erin Straight, Genevieve Arnold, and Alex Allison, Gerald Reed, Middle Tennessee State toward careers in academia. They have been M.A. candidates in Latin American Studies, University (Political Science) Vanderbilt; John