It’s hard enough to publish a successful literary magazine at Fieldston in English. Now imagine trying to publish one in a foreign language. What about several foreign languages? Impossible, right? That isn’t going to deter Max Zalta (V) from trying. He is the founder and editor of the Fieldston F.L.A.G. (Foreign Language Arts Gazette). Max has been taking Spanish since lower school, and he wanted to create a place where students can express themselves in a different language.
“I’ve never had an outlet for creative writing in Spanish. In English there are so many opportunities, but I’ve always wanted a place to publish all the work I do in Spanish class,” Max said.
Max decided that instead of waiting for a magazine to be published in, he would create his own. “I know that there must be more people like me out there so I wanted to create a communal display of work that includes all of the languages taught at Fieldston”
Max already has one contributor. Jake Apfel (V) is submitting a short story that he wrote for his final last year to the Fieldston F.L.A.G. It is a tragic story about betrayal, brotherhood, and inability to help the ones we love.
“I’m really glad that I have somewhere to submit what I write in Spanish class. I think it’s fun to write in another language and I would like to share what I write with more people than my teacher,” Jake remarked.
Though he hasn’t yet published his first edition, Max is already looking at the future of the F.L.A.G. “I’m hoping to get two editions, Fall and Spring. Maybe, after this first one, they could have themes, like climate change or social justice.”
Max is also looking for visual art relating to the languages taught at Fieldston, and wants to contact language and art teachers to coordinate assigning projects relating to the theme of each new edition of the F.L.A.G.
“I’m really excited about this magazine. It has a ton of potential and I can’t wait to see how the first edition turns out.”
