Please join us as we return to in-person talks in the cinema space at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center!

The Franciscan friar and historian Toribio de Benavente Motolinía fashions a New World hagiography in his account of three child martyrs from the Central Mexican city of Tlaxcala. Multiple histories of the early colonial period reproduce and revise this narrative. Unique among these is a translation into Nahuatl, of 1601, by the Franciscan friar Juan Bautista Viseo. Produced in collaboration with Nahua intellectuals, this translation uses figurative language from ancestral discourse to tell a story that subtly articulates Nahua values, alongside Christian mores; and uniquely appeals to Nahua historical memory.

*Following the University at Buffalo’s on-campus protocols, beginning October 1, all attendees will be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to be admitted to Scholars@Hallwalls. A vaccination card, a photo of a vaccination card, an Excelsior Pass or a digital vaccine card are all acceptable. Attendees should be prepared to show photo ID as well. We kindly request that attendees wear masks indoors during the talk in the cinema for the safety and well-being of all guests.

This event will be simultaneously live-streamed. To watch the live-stream, go to: https://www.hallwalls.org/perflit/6283.html

About Stephanie Schmidt, Assistant Professor, Romance Languages and Literatures

Stephanie’s research centers on colonial Latin America and the early modern period, with an emphasis on Nahua studies, the early evangelization of New Spain, and questions of empire. Her recent publications consider doctrinal literature in Nahuatl from the sixteenth and early-seventeenth centuries, early modern Spanish theater, and Nahuatl song-dance. Stephanie is currently completing a book entitled Ancestors and Empire: Foundational Narratives in Anahuac. This book examines a range of writings in Nahuatl and Spanish that critically reflect upon crises of conquest warfare, struggles of religion, and the Spanish colonial occupation of Central Mexico.