Deconstructing The Tertulia
Photo by Celena Marrero for Cemi Underground
Tertulia is a Spanish word referring to a social gathering. Historically tertulias were places where people would discuss literature, culture, philosophy, and politics. It has roots in Spain as far back as the 17th Century when cities began to flourish economically and culturally. At the time there was a huge influx of poetry, philosophy, and literature that were being translated for the first time into Spanish. It was not uncommon to see gatherings in the streets where people would discuss and even debate philosophy and politics. With the passing centuries tertulias moved from the outdoors and into literary cafés and even in peoples homes throughout all Spanish-speaking countries. Some even served as conduits for gatherings of aspiring revolutionaries intent on liberating Latin America from its colonial grip.
Here in the United States, participants of tertulias usually discuss books, poetry, and even music as it relates the Latino experience. In New York tertulias have usually place in bookstores where authors and poets are invited to interact with their reading public. Over the last couple years, though, the city’s Spanish-only bookstores (Maconde and Lectorum) have shuttered but it hasn’t closed the book (pun intended) on tertulias. In fact, it’s left many Latinos, particularly those who are English-speaking and second generation Latinos, yearning for places to discuss literature and culture. Many prefer to consume their media in English. This explains the success behind contemporary classics such as Down These Mean Streets and, more recently, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao which deal with Latino identity issues.
In Harlem, places such as “La Pregunta Arts Cafe” have sought to meet that cultural need while still trying to maintain a good business model. In East Harlem, a.k.a. El Barrio, while some tertulias are held in people’s homes others are held in restaurants/bars such as Camaradas or in cultural institutions such the Julia de Burgos center. One bookstore, Cemí Underground, has been able to attract decent sized audiences to partake in weekly tertulias. Their roster of events also includes art/photo exhibitions, book signings, and even open-mike poetry. With rent prices continuing to increase bookstores such as Cemí Underground and Calíope in Washington Heights have had to resort to creative ways of promoting their events as well as supplementing book sale revenues with Latino-themed t-shirts, artwork, and music. Carolina Gonzalez from WNYC gives a more in-depth look at Cemi Underground.
Tertulia Locations:
Cemi Underground (East Harlem)
1799 Lexington Avenue @ 112th Street
212-860-2820
Caliope Bookstore (Washington Heights)
170 Dyckman Street
between Broadway and Sherman Avenue
New York, NY
212-567-3511 phone; email: caliopes@aol.com
Online Tertulia:
La Casa Azul
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