A silent farewell to a giant of literature
On April 13, the world literary community received the sad news of the death of Mario Vargas Llosa, an emblematic figure in Peruvian literature, who closed his eyes in Lima, his hometown, at the age of 89. His family has confirmed the news, revealing that the writer split surrounded by the love of his loved ones, with a tranquility that reflects his desire to maintain intimacy in these moments of mourning.
A literary journey through his work
Born on March 28, 1936 in Arequipa, Vargas Llosa marked a before and after in contemporary literature. His works, such as ‘The city and the dogs’, ‘Conversation in the Cathedral’ and ‘The Festival of Goat’, are considered essential to understand the evolution of Latin American narrative. His ability to address the social and political complexities of his time earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010, a recognition of his unmatched contribution to the world of letters.
The emotional arrival d’A a pèruua
The children of Vargas Llosa have shared their pain on social media, highlighting not only their personal loss, but also the lasting impact of their father’s work. “His absence weighs us, but we are comforted to know that he lived fully and created a legacy that will continue to inspire,” they have expressed, acknowledging the deep connection that the writer had established with his readers.
A farewell to fiction and journalism
His latest novel, ‘Le dedicated my silence’, published in October 2023, was his goodbye to the narrative, and only two months later he decided to retire from his column ‘Piedra de Tique’, which he had maintained for more than three decades. Through these columns, he showed a constant intellectual concern and a well -defined political stance, influencing public debate with his reflections.
A pioneer of the Latin American ‘boom’
His literary career began at the age of 23 with ‘The Caps’, and soon became one of the most recognized names in the Latin American ‘boom’ in the 1960’s. ‘The city and dogs’ catapulted him to fame, winning the Breve Library Award and consolidating his position between authors such as Gabriel García Márquez and Julio Cortázar. Vargas Llosa explored universal issues, combining fiction with political chronicle, approaching repression and struggle for freedom.
Acknowledgments that testify to their greatness
Throughout his career, Vargas Llosa was awarded numerous awards, including the Cervantes Award, the Planeta Award and the Princess Award for Asturias Award. In addition, he has been a member of the Royal Spanish Academy since 1996 and joined the Académie Française in 2021, consolidating himself as a leading author worldwide.
A legacy that transcends borders
With its disappearance, the world of literature has lost one of its great teachers. However, the work of Vargas Llosa will continue to resonate through future generations, reflecting not only the reality of Latin America, but also a universe of ideas that promote freedom and justice. His voice, immortalized on the pages of his books, will continue to inspire readers from every corner of the world.
