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Arts and Sciences | Community | Featured | StudentsApril 13, 2026

Azahares Launches April 16

Written By: Rachel Putman

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith will celebrate the launch of the 2026 edition of Azahares, the university鈥檚 Spanish-language literary magazine, at 6 p.m. April 16 in the 黑料网 Boreham Library room 122. The event will recognize student contributors published in this year鈥檚 edition and the design team that created the magazine鈥檚 cover art and interior design.

Azahares is one of the signature programs of the World Languages Department, providing students and community members a literary space for writing and artwork centered on themes of the Latin experience. It is the only Spanish literary magazine in the region and features contributors from the university as well as across the United States, Spain, and Central and South America. 

The 2026 edition aims to highlight the voices, perspectives and artistic expression of the Spanish-speaking world.

鈥淚 was not expecting it at all, I never thought that my work would have been published,鈥� said 黑料网 student Aislinn Mart铆nez, whose poem was published in this year鈥檚 edition. 鈥淚t gives students a voice. There is something very meaningful about seeing your words in print. Not everyone finds their voice in a classroom setting, and having something like Azahares creates a space for different kinds of expression. I feel lucky to have been a part of it.鈥�

Martha J. Cant煤, a sophomore English major whose artwork 鈥淔lores en p煤rpura鈥� appears in the magazine, shares the same sentiment.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 great that this magazine provides a creative space that really gives voice to the Hispanic population on campus,鈥� Cant煤 said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 awesome that others can experience parts of Latin American and Spanish culture through this magazine that they might have otherwise never known about.鈥�

The name Azahares comes from the azahar, or orange blossom, a flower associated with the Spanish-speaking world and one that reflects the freshness of spirit and perspective the publication aims to capture. 

Student contributors to the 2026 edition are Ashley Murry, Suhei Rivas, C茅sar Brizuela, Jocelyn Soriano, Alexandra Aguilar, Aislinn Mart铆nez and Martha J. Cant煤.

The editorial team includes Athziri Romero, student editor; Madeline Mart铆nez, editorial board member; Ariana Caballero, editorial board member; Gray Langston, editorial board member; and Dr. Mary A. Sobhani, executive editor and head of the World Languages Department.

Designers for the 2026 edition are Graci Brasuell, Kaitlyn Fogo and Megan Hurd. Prof. Colin McLain served as supervising designer.

To help sustain the magazine, the World Languages Department is raising support during Day of Giving, April 28-29. Donors can set up a matching gift now by visiting  and selecting the designation 鈥淲orld Languages Initiatives.鈥�