Crown Library Ofrenda Recognizes Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz

On Oct. 30, in celebration of Día de los Muertos, Dominican University's Department of Spanish Language and Transcultural Studies dedicated an ofrenda (altar) in honor of the life and legacy of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1648-1695), a renowned poet, philosopher and a nun of colonial Mexico. The exhibit explores the tradition of Crowned Nuns, especially the life of Sor Juana.

As Sor Juana was a scholar, writer and poet, the first floor of the Rebecca Crown Library was chosen for the altar. Sor Juana's own personal library was one of the largest in the Americas during the colonial period.

Jaime Hernandez-Vargas, new to DU this year, served as the lead creator and designer. Other full-time faculty in the Spanish Department who helped build the display were Dr. Christian Bermudez Castro, Dr. Ricardo Andrade Fernandez and Dr. Lisa Petrov.

Students from Spanish 231: Spanish Language & Culture for Heritage, presented a standing- room only program as well. They were Miranda Luevanos, Luz Vazquez, Jasmin Contreras, Evelyn Cortez, Jean-Pierre Abayay, Valeria Hernandez-Lozano, Victoria Perez, Jocelyn Robles and Jose Figueroa.