Guatemalan Wingston González wins Indigenous Literatures of America Award

Guatemalan poet Wingston González has been honored with the 14th annual Indigenous Literatures of America Award for his collection 'Un poquito más allá.' This marks the first time a non-Mexican writer has received the prestigious award, presented at the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL). The jury unanimously selected González's work for its aesthetically accomplished writing and its exploration of the Garifuna community's odyssey. The book narrates their expulsion from the Antilles, particularly St. Vincent, and delves into the diaspora's past and present, including in Los Angeles. It highlights the Garifuna people's resistance against colonization, their efforts to preserve their language and traditions, and the significance of their linguistic and philosophical heritage. González explained that the Garifuna language, spoken by Central American and Caribbean communities descended from African migrants, is facing endangerment. He sees the award as a vital opportunity to promote and conserve this language, which has deep roots in the region, particularly through oral traditions and music. The poet also noted the influence of Mexican indigenous languages on writers globally. The award, organized by the University of Guadalajara and other cultural institutions, includes a prize of 300,000 Mexican pesos and publication of the winning work. A total of 69 works in 22 indigenous languages from nine countries were submitted for this year's award.