After reading us his flash fiction story, "Para siempre" [Forever], Carlos offers some insight into the historical backdrop, events, and characters that inspired him.

After shedding some light on the flash fiction genre and providing us with some examples, Carlos finally reads us the piece with which he placed among the finalists at a prominent flash fiction contest in Barcelona. Can you understand any of the meaning behind it?

Let's listen to a couple of examples of flash fiction stories to better understand what this literary genre is all about. Entitled "Destino" [Fate] and "Soñando despierta" [Daydreaming], both pieces received awards at prestigious international flash fiction contests.

In the first part of this series, Carlos introduces us to the characteristics of flash fiction, a literary genre distinguished by its succinctness and ability to capture the reader from the first word to the last.

Luis Moya, one of the Pillaro "devils" during the famed "Pillaro Dance of the Devils" celebration, gives us some insight into the significance behind some of its most important characters.

Cristina talks to us about the "Diablada Pillareña" [Pillaro Dance of the Devils], a popular annual celebration in Pillaro, Ecuador that has been deemed Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Historian and guide, Henry Quinteros Marrugo, acquaints us with the history of Cartagena, Colombia, including its numerous invasions and the role of the San Felipe de Barajas fortress.

With the Spaniards' arrival to Tenochtitlán, Mexican culture as we know it began to emerge with their racial, cultural and spiritual merging with the diverse pre-Hispanic inhabitants of those lands. The Concheros dances about which native Mexican, Alfredo Martinez, speaks to us, are just one representation of this fusion.

Rabbi Shloime offers us some insight into the origins and significance of the Hanukkah tradition.

Many Latin American countries celebrate the Novena of Aguinaldos, a nine-day, Catholic-based holiday that includes music, food and prayer. Grace Pinzon, a Colombian woman living in Florida, shares with us how the novena is celebrated there.

“El Cerro de Monserrate” [Monserrate Hill] is a famous Hill in the center of Bogota, Colombia, which is a destination for pilgrimages and home to many tourist attractions, including a church, funicular and aerial cableway. Our host, Edwin Galve, who works bringing people to Monserrate’s several restaurants, tells us about these and more!

Celebrated in Ecuador on November second, the Day of the Dead is a time for family members to gather together and pay respects through customs involving food, prayer and music, to deceased family members, whom they view as very much alive energetically.

As Kevin learns more about his sister's boyfriend, Luis, his opinion about him is no longer so cut and dry.

As Luis continues to spout his political beliefs, the situation grows increasingly tense at the dinner table.

Tension is in the air at dinner as Luis's questions to Kevin's mom grow increasingly personal- and offensive.