Llanito, July 2024 edition of Patuka Press’ literary journal.
July 2024 saw the publication of the third issue of Gibraltarian literary journal by Patuka Press, this issue called "Llanito" in celebration of the growing interest in Llanito as a language in its own right and the reclaiming of that language by Gibraltarians.
"Llanito" is an anthology of writing, some in llanito, some in Spanish and others in English, a combination of poetry, fiction, essays, reflections, memoir that together offer a snapshot into what Llanito - as a language, or form of identity, or even as a term in itself - means to people.
This edition of the journal includes a short story by Jackie, 'Back in Black' in which the main character and narrator reflects on what it is to be "llanita". Through the story, Jackie explores what it is to try to find an identity to hold on to, when the identity as experienced by llanitos has for so long not been recognised by those outside Gibraltar. As in many of her stories, Jackie does not hold back from looking at the darker side of life. "There has to be a counter-balance," she says, "we love our city, we love and are proud of our national identity, but we need to acknowledge that there is dark as well as light, bad as well as good."
“Llanito” is available on paperback from Amazon or from Bookgem in Gibraltar