Elsa Cross
(Mexico City, 1946)
A formidable figure in contemporary poetry, Elsa Cross’s complete works (1964–2012) have blossomed into five more titles in recent years, including Insomnio (2016), Nepantla (2019), and Isla Negra (2023), the latter awarded the prestigious Mazatlán Literature Prize. Her poetry has transcended borders, with 15 of her books published internationally. Recognized both nationally and globally, Elsa Cross has received Mexico’s National Literature and Arts Award (2016), the esteemed Alfonso Reyes International Prize (2023), and honours from Canada, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Chile. A distinguished scholar with a PhD in Philosophy and a full professor at UNAM, she is also a prolific author of essays and translations. Her recent work, the comprehensive anthology El Lejano Oriente en la poesía mexicana (2022), cements her status as a vital voice in modern poetry.
KEY SPEAKER:
Armando Fuentes Aguirre, “Catón”
Renowned journalist, writer, and humanist.
Born in Saltillo on July 8, 1938, his extraordinary career has made him a towering figure in Mexico’s cultural landscape.
Educated in Law at UNAM and the Autonomous University of Coahuila—where he earned his degree—he also holds degrees in Spanish Language and Literature and Pedagogy from Saltillo’s Normal Superior School. Additionally, he studied journalism at Indiana University, USA.
KEY SPEAKER:
Since 1963, he has been a distinguished university professor and founded the acclaimed School of Communication Sciences at the Autonomous University of Coahuila. As founder and former director of the Vanguardia newspaper in Saltillo, he has shaped local journalism. Since 1978, he has proudly served as the Official City Chronicler.
His work in media is legendary; columns like De política y cosas peores, Mirador, and La otra historia de México have appeared in over a hundred newspapers across the country and beyond. As an author, he has published more than twenty books, including classics such as De política y cosas peores, La paja en el ojo ajeno, Madero, caudillo civil de la Revolución, and the comprehensive The Other History of Mexico in five volumes—an essential resource for understanding our past.
His theatrical masterpiece Diablos y Pastores has become a beloved holiday tradition in Saltillo, further cementing his cultural impact.He has received numerous awards, including the Miguel Ramos Arizpe Medal, the Saltillo Prize, and multiple Ixtan-Can awards from El Norte newspaper. In 2003, the University of Nuevo León awarded him the highest academic honor: Doctor Honoris Causa. His influence has also been recognized by universities in Veracruz, Coahuila, and Monterrey.
The faculty of the Autonomous University of Coahuila names its annual best student award after him, along with its cultural journalism prize. Saltillo has named him an Honorary Citizen.
Beyond his academic and journalistic achievements, he actively supports community initiatives—running a comedor for children and elderly campesinos in Arteaga—and continues to call Saltillo his home.
He has delivered speeches across Mexico on politics, history, and media, continuing to inspire new generations of thinkers and writers.