Sad news from the world of literature as one of South America’s best-known writers passed away.
Uruguayan author Mario Benedetti died today at his home in Montevideo at the age of 88 according to sources close to his family. The cause of his death has not been officially confirmed though he had been recently hospitalized due to a chronic intestinal problem.
“The injustices of the dictatorship and his re-adaptation to Uruguay” were said to be the major themes of Benedetti's career which spanned over six decades. His outspokenness against Uruguay’s military rule forced him to be exiled though he continued writing during and after his return to native soil. Over the past decade he had received several awards including the Queen Sofia Ibero-American Poetry Prize and the Jose Marti Ibero-American Prize. His latest work was published nearly a year ago though he had been working on a book of poetry tentatively titled “Biografia para encontrarme” (“Biography to find myself”).
The following is of Benedetti reading his poem “Desaparecidos” (“Disappeared”) in a touching tribute to the Madres de Plaza de Mayo.
Adios Mario. You will be missed but certainly not forgotten.
Online Sources- Reuters, LAHT, Xinhua, YouTube
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Despertando la muerte
Escrito para Mario y Luz
por Martha Durán-Contreras
Santa Monica, California
Estárías dormida esperando
Que por los pasillos de tus sueños llegaría, entraría
Despierta que mis pasos callados me entregan a ti.
Sopla el viento, parpareas, y en tus labios susurro,
-Ya llegué. Ya llegue, Luz mía.
Una voz delgada dice -Apaga la luz del faro
que tu llegada me encandela.
-Es el crepúsculo de la muerte.
-Díle que se apague
Que ya llegaste, ya llegaste, Mario mío.
Post a Comment