“By questioning the place we occupy in the world, we open the possibility to change reality.” Translated from Spanish, the words of poet Rosario Castellanos continue to inspire generations of readers in the Spanish-speaking world.

“I think her work encourages us to think critically about systems, about voice and visibility, about our place in the world,” says Lili Vieira de Carvalho, executive director of the Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre (VLACC).

100 years after her birth, the verses of this trailblazing Mexican poet still resonate with the Latin American community across borders. To celebrate the talented writer, essayist and diplomat, the VLACC will present Seeds of Resistance – An Interdisciplinary Tribute to Rosario Castellanos’ Life and Work on May 15.

Hosted in the Exhibition Hall and Performance Centre of Vancouver’s Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, the interdisciplinary tribute is co-produced by VLACC and TEMPO Dance & Visual Arts.

Process from within

English-speakers may not be familiar with the work of Castellanos (1925–1974), but the words of the Mexico-born writer still echoes in the heart of many Spanish-speakers today. Some of the most famous works of Castellanos is often seen as very modern, not only in her prose, but in her intent.

“What I find remarkable is that she manages to be both poetic and political. A hundred years later, her questions still cut through,” says Vieira de Carvalho.

And with Seeds of Resistance, the VLACC offers a conversation with Castellanos’ voice through the lived experiences of the artists and participants. Instead of interpreting Castellanos from the outside, the event is a dialogue and process from within the community, to share with the world. The entire interdisciplinary tribute was developed collaboratively by local Latin American artists.

“Every element – movement, sound, text, projection – came from conversations and experimentation; VLACC’s role was to help make space for this to happen,” says the executive director. “That’s a big part of what we do: create space for artists to lead.”

And this approach allows the artists and community interacting with VLACC to create a more personal and diverse approach to the understanding of Castellanos’ work. Every artist can bring their own impressions of her work, including how they interpreted it. This engagement shares how Castellanos’ eventful and short life inspired them, giving movements to her writing, adding colour to her words.

Contemporary lens

Seeds of Resistance also comes from a place of erudition and passion, emphasizing a need to share Castellanos’ energy and work with a broader audience.

“This project began through a collaboration with Nancy Ross, a translator, scholar and longtime VLACC collaborator,” says Vieira de Carvalho.

The idea was to create something to mark the centennial of Castellanos’ birth. The VLACC’s team welcomed the idea with enthusiasm and gathered a team of local Latin American artists to create the performance.

“It became more than a tribute; it’s a collaborative response to Castellanos’ questions, from a contemporary lens,” she adds.

Working with a scholar and translator allows the VLACC to share Castellanos’ poetry and ideas with a wider public, without losing any of the nuances or modernity of her work, making it more accessible to all. The world of Castellano’s poetry opens, nurturing seeds of resistance and bringing them home to grow roots in new soils – all creating connections across languages and centuries, lands and seas.

“I hope something lingers, such as a phrase, a gesture, an image,” shares Vieira de Carvalho, adding that she hopes audiences leave feeling revived. “This isn’t a passive show; it invites reflection, presence and conversation; there’s beauty, yes, but also tension and questioning.”

For more information on the event, visit: https://vlacc.ca/events/seeds-of-resistance