Descendants of those who built the greatest ancient civilization of Central America, there may be as many as 10,000 Qánjobál Maya scattered throughout the United States and Canada, especially in Southern California and Florida.

Indigenous writers who have published works in their own languages (preferably) or other languages, and also non-indigenous persons who have written on indigenous literature of the Americas are invited to submit an abstract of their paper no longer than 3 pages, by April 30, 1998 to give the Organizing Committee enough time to assure their participation. Please include name, address, email address, fax, telephone and title of the paper.

Before the event, the paper should be sent on diskette, or printed on letter-size paper, and should take no longer than 30 minutes to read. The papers will be published at a later date.

Once your participation has been approved, we will send you a conference
Program. Schedule: July 27, arrival of participants; July 28-30, the
Congress itself; July 31, excursion to picturesque places in Guatemala.
In the evening there will be an opportunity to present literary, theatrical,
dance, music or other performances from Guatemala and the countries of
origin of the participants.

Guatemala, has 23 different ethnic groups, each with different clothing,
language and life style. International participants may wish to bring
their regional costumes, published works, and samples of their art to
represent the cultural richness of the Americas.

Papers will be accepted from indigenous writers, preferably those who have published in their native languages, but also from literary critics, academics and researchers from all countries. The principal topic will be the following:

Indigenous literature of the Americas

Poetry

Prose, narratives, stories, fiction

Oral tradition, including myths, legends, fables, oral history

Indigenous world view and culture in literature

Form and content of indigenous literature

Methodology and techniques of indigenous literature

Anthropological aspects of indigenous literature

Pubishing and publishers

Libraries, archives, indigeous writers' organizations

Cultural and language politics in the Americas

Schools and literary currents in indigenous literature

Intererested persons should send a summary of their paper, in an indigenous language, Spanish or English, not to exceed 3 pages before June 30, 1999 to the address below. They should later send the paper printed or on diskette, approximately 10 pages in length, together with the following information:

Name, address, telephone, fax number, email address and the title of the paper. All the papers will be incouded in a publication which will be sent to all the presenters after the Congress.

The program: once we have recorded the information, we will be sending you more detailed information about the program, which will take the following general form:

July 26. Arrival of participants.

July 27-29 Inauguration and conduct of the Congreso.

July 30. Visit to indigenous communities and participaion in a Maya Ceremony.

In the evenings there will be an opportunity to present various cultural and literary activities such as recitals, theatre, dance, and music of the countries of the participants, including Guatemala.

Participants are encouraged to bring their literary and artistic works, as well as typical native dress.

The Congress has no funds to support participants.

We await your response, wishing you Swatxílal hekúl, peace in your hearts, and may peace reign under the Face of the Sky and on the Face of the Land of America.

La Asociación Cultural Béybál y el Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes
tienen el honor de saludarlos desde Guatemala, y convoca a todos los interesados a participar en el SEGUNDO CONGRESO DE LITERATURA INDIGENA DE AMERICA, que se llevara a cabo en la Ciudad de Guatemala,

Podrán participar los escritores indígenas que hayan publicado (preferiblemente) trabajos literarios en sus idiomas maternos. También podrán participar críticos literarios, profesores, estudiosos sobre literatura indígena de América e investigadores sobre esta materia decualquier país.

Los interesados deberán enviar un resumen de su ponencia, antes del 30 de junio de 1999 a la comisión organizadora, ya sea en idiomas indígenas, en castellano o en inglés. El resumen no deberì exceder de tres paginas tamaño carta, posteriormente deberán remitir la Ponencia completa en diskette o impresa, la cual deberì ser de diez paginas aproximadamente, tamaño carta.

Pueden asegurar su participación enviando los siguientes datos: Nombre, dirección, teléfono, fax, correo electrónico, y el título de la ponencia.

El programa: al tener los datos registrados, les estaremos enviando de vuelta, especificaciones y el programa de actividades que se resume así:

26 de julio, llegada de los participantes.

27-29 julio, inauguración y desarrollo del Congreso.

30 de julio, visita a comunidades indígenas y participación en una Ceremonia Maya.

Por las noches habrá oportunidad de desarrollar actividades culturales y literarias, recitales, teatro, danza, música tanto de Guatemala como de los lugares de procedencia de los participantes.

Los participantes, podrán traer muestras de sus obras literarias, trabajos artísticos y trajes de sus propias comunidades.

Soporte económico: las personas que necesiten del soporte económico para realizar el viaje y participar en el congreso, deberán hacer las gestiones en sus respectivos paises, instituciones o universidades para que los patrocinen.

Al agradecer su amable respuesta, les deseamos Swatxílal hekúl (paz en sus corazones) y que la hermandad reine bajo la faz del cielo y sobre la faz de la tierra americana.