SARGASSO, a Journal of Caribbean Literature, Language, and Culture published at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras invites submissions for an upcoming issue entitled “Global Cuba/Cuba Global.”  We seek interdisciplinary academic papers, short fiction, poetry, and visual art that (re)mediates, (re)formulates and/or (re)affirms Cuba’s varied interactions with and approaches to the world today.  Manuscripts are due by June 15, 2013, and should be sent to sargassocuba@gmail.com.  Contributors will be notified of the status of their submissions by August 1, 2013.

How do explorations of twenty-first century Cuba in global relief allow us to rethink the island, the Caribbean region, and comparative area studies more broadly?  In counterpoint to insular approaches, recent initiatives within and beyond the island seek to address Cuba’s historical, cultural, and political experiences through global perspective.  At upcoming conferences, University of Havana’s Transatlantic Studies Group calls for re-elaborations of Cuba’s myriad transatlantic contacts and interactions; Miami’s Cuban Research Institute at Florida International University seeks comparative study of Cuba’s diaspora with other dispersed peoples from across the globe.  These explorations offer parallel alternatives to reified discourses of political allegiance and physical territory as markers of Cuban identities, opening Cuba to trans- local, national, and regional discussion simultaneously.  To both celebrate and further expand these interrelated interests, this volume ofSargasso will examine the ways twenty-first century Cuban culture, society, language and/or history may be read, (re)interpreted, and/or (re)examined through global interrelation.  While the volume foregrounds twenty-first century issues and perspectives, comparative explorations with other historic time periods are welcome. Possible themes include, but are not limited to:

         Cubanía redux

         Cuba & the Arab Springs

         Cuba & relief efforts in Haiti

         Challenges to migration, movement, & relocation

         Digital media/digital Cuba

         Global modernity, capitalism, and homogenization

         Economic a/symmetries of Cuba & China

         New directions of sincretismo

         Twenty-first century portability

         Constructions of gender, desire, & sexuality

         Linguistic affirmations & protests

         Cuba, reggaeton, & popular music

         Environmentalism & food security

         Tourism & Travel

Essays should be in English, Spanish, French, or Papiamentu, 10-20 pages, and double-spaced.  Abstracts of 120 words or less should accompany essays.  B&W photos, illustrations, and other graphics may be included.  Book reviews of 1,000 words in length are also welcome.  Essays and reviews must conform to Sargasso’s style guide.  Submissions should be digital in Word or Rich Text Format. Electronic submissions and inquiries should be directed to: sargassocuba@gmail.com.