Antonio M. Piñero Explores Memory and Linguistic Identity in New Poetry Collection *Cuando las naranjas*

Antonio M. Piñero’s new poetry collection, Cuando las naranjas, is more than just a book; it is a deep reflection on memory and loss. Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1998, Piñero is both a linguist and a poet, and his latest work blends his academic background with a sensitive, personal approach to preserving the people and moments that matter most.

Written during his time in Arrecife, the collection moves away from broad, universal themes to focus on the intimate. With a strong academic foundation in Language and Literature and a Master’s in Applied Linguistics, Piñero uses his poetry to address a central theme of his career: defending linguistic identity against prejudice. He believes that literature should be a sanctuary where a person’s true voice—including their local dialect—remains protected from the pressure to conform to standardized language.

Cuando las naranjas follows his 2020 award-winning collection, Amarillos. For Piñero, poetry is a way to fight against being forgotten. This perspective also shapes his view on the role of the humanities in an era increasingly dominated by automation. In a world where artificial intelligence and market trends often make culture feel uniform, Piñero argues that we must hold onto our human and communal connections.

His work, which bridges the gap between studying the Spanish of the Canary Islands and creative writing, challenges the biases that still exist toward regional dialects in Spain. Rather than trying to fit into traditional literary molds, Piñero champions creative freedom and honest language. While his writing is rooted in melancholy, it ultimately aims to connect with readers through the raw authenticity of lived experience.