Identity

"My upbringing taught me that cultures are not isolated, and perish when deprived of contact with what is different and challenging. Reading,writing,teaching,learning, are all activities aimed at introducing civilizations to each other. No culture, I have believed unconsciously ever since then, and quite consciously today, retains its identity in isolation; IDENTITY IS ATTAINED IN CONTACT, IN CONTRAST, IN BREAKTHROUGH."

Carlos Fuentes