The Journey of "Suma Paz": Storytelling, Activism & Translation

Fri Oct 24 2025 at 06:00 pm to 07:00 pm UTC-04:00

Bookstore1Sarasota | Sarasota

Bookstore1Sarasota
Publisher/HostBookstore1Sarasota
The Journey of "Suma Paz": Storytelling, Activism & Translation
Advertisement
Author Elvira Sánchez-Blake and translator Laura Kanost discuss the process of bringing "Suma Paz" from Spanish to English.
About this Event

Join prominent Colombian writer and journalist Elvira Sánchez-Blake and translator Laura Kanost as they share the collaborative journey of bringing Suma Paz: A Chronicle of Love and Peril in Defense of Nature into English. Together, they'll highlight the book's themes of storytelling, activism, and the defense of fragile ecosystems, in a conversation moderated by Bookstore1 owner Georgia Court. Get the chance to participate in an audience Q&A, buy the book, and have it signed.

Suma Paz: La Utopía de Mario Calderón y Elsa Alvardo was published in 2021. It tells the true story of the lives, murders, and legacies of two environmentalists who fell in love through their work promoting peace and sustainability in the páramo highlands ecosystem.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Suma Paz is a gripping true story of love, courage, and sacrifice. This literary chronicle brings to life the story of Mario Calderón and Elsa Alvarado, two Colombian environmentalists tragically assassinated in 1997.Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Sumapaz—the world’s largest páramo ecosystem—this powerful narrative explores the couple’s deep-rooted philosophy of peace and environmental harmony, and the transformative work they led at the Suma-Paz Nature Reserve. Their story serves as both a tribute and a call to action, shedding light on the urgent threats facing environmental defenders worldwide.More than a biography, Suma Paz delves into spiritual and indigenous perspectives on nature preservation, offering a profound exploration of the intersection between ecology, community, and resilience.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELVIRA SÁNCHEZ-BLAKE is a Colombian journalist, academic, and award-winning writer with a distinguished career in literary and cultural studies. She holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University and has published extensively on themes of human rights, social justice, peace, and gender in Latin America. She hold academic positions at Cornell University and Michigan State University, she now resides in Florida, where she dedicates herself to writing and community advocacy through the CreArte Latino Cultural Center.

Elvira es una periodista, académica y escritora colombiana, con una destacada trayectoria en los estudios literarios y culturales. Es doctora por la Universidad de Cornell y ha publicado extensamente sobre temas de derechos humanos, justicia social, paz y género en América Latina. Tuvo posiciones académicas en la Universidad de Cornell y en la Universidad Estatal de Míchigan. Actualmente reside en Florida, donde se dedica a la escritura y al trabajo comunitario a través del Centro Cultural CreArte Latino Cultural center.


ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR

DR. LAURA KANOST is a Professor of Spanish and Translation Studies at Kansas State University, specializing in Latin American literature, disability studies, and women writers. She holds a Ph.D. in Spanish from the University of Kansas (2007), a MA in Spanish from the University of Kansas (2003), and a B.A. in Spanish and English from Kansas State University (2001). Her scholarly and translation work spans fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, with a particular focus on bringing underrecognized Latin American voices into English.

Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, United States

Tickets

USD 0.00 to USD 21.40

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Sarasota

Trick-or-Triples Tennis Tournament
Fri, 24 Oct at 12:00 pm Trick-or-Triples Tennis Tournament

2050 Adams Ln, Sarasota, FL, United States, Florida 34237

SARASOTA SENIOR SOFTBALL CAMP
Fri, 24 Oct at 03:00 pm SARASOTA SENIOR SOFTBALL CAMP

Fruitville Park

Oktoberfest
Fri, 24 Oct at 03:00 pm Oktoberfest

The Alloro at University Groves

Haunted Trails at Arlington Park - FREE
Fri, 24 Oct at 05:00 pm Haunted Trails at Arlington Park - FREE

Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex

Haunted Trail Carnival at Arlington Park - Community Vendor Registration*
Fri, 24 Oct at 05:00 pm Haunted Trail Carnival at Arlington Park - Community Vendor Registration*

Arlington Park Sarasota

Thor Stevens | Mattison's Forty-One
Fri, 24 Oct at 05:30 pm Thor Stevens | Mattison's Forty-One

Mattison's Forty-One

Chris Franjola at McCurdys Comedy Theatre
Fri, 24 Oct at 06:30 pm Chris Franjola at McCurdys Comedy Theatre

McCurdys Comedy Theatre

OHIO ANNUAL DRINKING PARTY
Fri, 24 Oct at 07:00 pm OHIO ANNUAL DRINKING PARTY

3655 Webber St., Sarasota, FL

Beyond the Veil: A Weekend with Joseph LoBrutto
Fri, 24 Oct at 07:00 pm Beyond the Veil: A Weekend with Joseph LoBrutto

373 Braden Ave, Sarasota, FL, United States, Florida 34243

Tea & Tarot Elementals: Facing Our Fears with The Swords (in person Sarasota FL or virtual online)
Fri, 24 Oct at 07:00 pm Tea & Tarot Elementals: Facing Our Fears with The Swords (in person Sarasota FL or virtual online)

1940 Northgate Boulevard Suite B2, Sarasota, FL, United States, Florida 34234

Posies Flower Truck Pop-Up
Fri, 24 Oct at 07:00 pm Posies Flower Truck Pop-Up

The West District at UTC

Free Fallin - Tom Petty Tribute
Fri, 24 Oct at 07:00 pm Free Fallin - Tom Petty Tribute

Big Top Live

Sarasota is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Sarasota Events