Linfield University welcomes renowned author and poet Javier Zamora for a special campus event from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 7 in the Richard and Lucille Ice Auditorium inside Melrose Hall. The free event is open to the public and will include a live discussion and a book signing.
The evening, titled “A Conversation with Javier Zamora,” features Zamora in conversation with Linfield professors Sonia Ticas and Reshmi Dutt-Ballerstadt. Together, they’ll explore Zamora’s powerful writing on migration, identity and memory — especially as shared in his New York Times bestselling memoir, “Solito.”
Following the conversation, Zamora will sign copies of his books, which will be available for purchase at the event.
“Zamora’s presence is timely and urgent as he fearlessly and relentlessly humanizes those voices that must be heard,” Dutt-Ballerstadt said.
Born in La Herradura, El Salvador, Zamora migrated alone to the United States at age nine. His memoir “Solito” chronicles that harrowing 3,000-mile journey and won widespread praise for its honesty, lyricism and humanity. He is also the author of the poetry collection “Unaccompanied.” His work has appeared in The New York Times, Poetry, The Kenyon Review and more.
Zamora is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships, including the American Book Award, the Whiting Fellowship and the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. His storytelling focuses on the immigrant experience, intergenerational trauma and what it means to call a place “home.”
The event is sponsored by Linfield’s Learning Across Boundaries (LAB). LAB encourages collaboration throughout the university that crosses geographic, disciplinary, racial, ideological, symbolic or material boundaries. During 2024-25, LAB has sponsored a visit from author Anthony Jack in October and the “Crossing Borders” speaker panel in March.
