The Day of the Dead / El Dia de la Muerte
An annual Mexican festival, which takes place between October 31 and November 2, during which Mexicans gather together to celebrate and remember the lives of relatives, friends and loved ones who are dead. It is common to see people dressed up in special clothing and masks in street parades.
Malinche
An icon in Mexican folklore and myth, Malinche was a Mexican woman who aided the Spanish colonisers in their colonising effort, serving as an intermediary and translator between the settlers and indigenous peoples. Over time, the term 'Malinche' has come to mean dishonest or disloyal.
Neustadt International Prize for Literature
A $50,000 prize that is awarded every two years to a writer on account of a prolific and important body of work, not simply one widely read work. Past recipients include Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Edward Kamau Brathwaite.
Surrealism
Originally an artistic movement that spread into the world of literature, Surrealist literature seeks to explore the irrational, subconscious or shocking and often does so in innovative ways. Famous practitioners of Surrealism include Salvador Dali and Mallarme.
Labyrinth
A maze.
Existentialism
A branch of philosophy, widely explored in the 20th century, which places the individual and his or her will at the forefront of life as opposed to groups or institutions. Famous Existentialist writers include Jean Paul Sartre and Franz Kafka.
