Giannina Braschi to Headline American Studies Association Convention in Puerto Rico

The American Studies Association (ASA) has announced that it will host nearly 2,000 scholars, writers, artists, and activists at its upcoming convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from November 19 to 22, 2025. Themed “Late-Stage American Empire?”, this annual event will feature a Headline Session with renowned Puerto Rican author and political philosopher Giannina Braschi.

Braschi, a recipient of the ASA’s prestigious Angela Y. Davis Award, is celebrated for her works that challenge and redefine cultural narratives. Her latest book, PUTINOIKA, published by Flowersong Press in 2024, is described as a tragicomedy exploring themes of collusion and delusion during the Putin and Trump era. Her earlier work, United States of Banana, is a postcolonial classic that addresses the collapse of the American Empire and the liberation of Puerto Rico. The Library of Congress has recognized her writing as “cutting edge, influential, and even revolutionary.”

On November 19, at 19:00, Braschi will deliver a dramatic reading at the headquarters of Humanidades Puerto Rico, located in the historic Cuartel de Ballajá. This event will be part of the ASA’s Public Humanities Day, a program aiming to broaden understanding of Puerto Rican culture and contemporary American society. Following her reading, a discussion will include prominent scholars such as Cristina Garrigos, President of the Spanish Association of American Studies, and Nuria Morgado, Director of the North American Academy of the Spanish Language.

The ASA encourages the public to attend this free event, which will also feature films, live performances, and walking tours throughout the day. Interested individuals can acquire free tickets and find more details on the ASA’s website at https://theasa.net/phd2025.

The convention represents an important meeting of minds from various disciplines, reflecting on the complexities of American culture in a global context. Through events like this, the ASA aims to foster dialogue and understanding among scholars and the broader community.

For further inquiries, individuals can contact the ASA via email at [email protected]. This gathering promises to be a significant cultural moment, celebrating the contributions of Puerto Rican voices in the ongoing discourse about American identity and influence.