What Would You Say to the Border?

The border between San Diego and Tijuana does more than separate two countries. It also holds farewells, reunions, endless waits, shared identities, and millions of stories that are rarely documented through the voices of those who live them.

With the goal of preserving those personal memories, author and cultural promoter Angelina Barrera launched the open call “Between Dreams and Customs: Letters of Binational Life,” a collective literary project that seeks to gather written testimonies from cross-border and binational individuals through letters symbolically addressed to the border itself.

The initiative invites participation from those who have experienced the daily crossing between Mexico and the United States; those who grew up between two languages, two cultures, and two systems; and those who have felt the emotional weight of border checkpoints, the nostalgia of farewells, or the impact of the border wall extending into the Pacific Ocean.

“We want to hear your story. Your experience. Your truth,” states the call launched by Barrera, who encourages participants to submit anonymously or under a pseudonym.

The project aims to preserve human experiences that are often overshadowed by political discourse or migration statistics. For thousands of residents in the CaliBaja region, the border is part of daily life: crossing to work, study, receive medical care, or visit family members is a routine marked by inspections, long lines, and a constant negotiation of identity.

“Between Dreams and Customs” seeks to humanize border experiences through personal stories written in letter format.

Participants are asked to write a letter addressed to the border, sharing memories, dreams, experiences, or emotions related to binational life. Submissions must be written in Spanish, limited to 500 words, and sent in Word or Google Docs format.

Some selected letters may become part of a collective book featuring voices from both sides of the border. The submission deadline is December 10, 2026. Contributions may be sent to: entresuenosyaduanaslibro@gmail.com.