Mesoamerican cultures already had traditions that dialogued closely with the concept of death, like the Aztecs’ concept of Mictlán, its god Mictlantecuhtli and his wife Mictecacihuatl. The Spanish conquistadors' efforts to erradicate these indigenous traditions in the late 15th and early 16th centuries were countered by mesoamerican resistance and endurance that resulted in a syncretic tradition today of celebrating such conversation with death during the Catholic All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2). 

While recognizing that terms like "Hispanic" and "Latinx" denote many heterogeneous cultures, it is important to underscore the successes, challenges, and diversity of Latinx experiences in the context of culture, diplomacy, and law in New Orleans. The speakers in this series will discuss intellectually-riveting topics, such as the history of the New Orleans Mexican Consulate, the politics promoting immigration, journeys in academia, and other pressing issues, all within the Loyola and New Orleans communities. Join us!

The panel includes:

Bees were a favorite topic in Greek and Roman literature and feature prominently in similes, metaphors, and allegories across genres. However, how does a reader identify effective and innovative imagery and how does a reader know when an image is descriptive or allegorical? These questions become even more complicated when there is a several thousand year time difference. In order to decode these ancient references, one must not only have an understanding of what bees are like, but must also reconstruct what an ancient reader thought bees were like.

In commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day, there will be a virtual talk by Anne Levy. Ms. Levy is a Holocaust survivor who confronted neo-Nazi, former KKK grand wizard, and Louisiana State Representative David Duke in the State Capitol regarding Duke's denial of the Holocaust. Ms.

This talk explores the question of sexual consent in the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament. When is biblical sex about love or procreation, and when is it a weapon of power and domination? 

Please join us for this talk given by Dr. Jason Gaines, Professor of Practice and Director of Undergraduate Studies and member of the Department of Jewish Studies at Tulane University. 

The pandemic has put in stark relief the role undocumented immigrants play as essential workers in our nation's economy. Will the Biden Administration finally pass legislation to address our nation's immigration crisis?

In this panel discussion, New Orleans area immigrant advocates will discuss the need for immigration reform that includes an earned path to citizenship for the over 10.4 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. today and what else is at stake in this debate. Join us!

The Loyola Society for Francophone Cultures continues its Tournees Film Festival on Thurs., April 1 with the sultry, suspense-ridden drama Sibyl, and will run through April 15. Here's a summary of the plot: