• Biography

Raúl Zurita is a Chilean poet, novelist, and essayist who has been a major figure in Latin American literature since the 1970s. He is best known for his experimental poetry, which often deals with themes of exile, memory, and the political and social realities of his native Chile. His work has been translated into numerous languages and has been widely praised by critics and readers alike.

Early Life

Raúl Zurita was born in Santiago, Chile in 1950. He grew up in a working-class family and was exposed to the political turmoil of the time, which would later become a major theme in his work. He studied literature at the University of Chile and was a member of the literary group “Círculo de Poesía”. In 1973, he was arrested and tortured by the Pinochet regime for his political activities. He was eventually released and went into exile in Mexico, where he continued to write and publish his work.

Poetry

Raúl Zurita is best known for his experimental poetry, which often deals with themes of exile, memory, and the political and social realities of his native Chile. His work has been translated into numerous languages and has been widely praised by critics and readers alike. He is particularly noted for his use of unconventional forms and techniques, such as writing his poems in the sky with airplanes, or writing them on the walls of public buildings. His most famous work is “Canto a su amor desaparecido” (Song to His Disappeared Love), which was written in the sky over Santiago in 1979.

Novels and Essays

In addition to his poetry, Raúl Zurita has also written several novels and essays. His novels include “La Vida Nueva” (The New Life, 1981) and “El Paraíso Está Vacío” (Paradise is Empty, 1988). His essays include “La Poesía y el Exilio” (Poetry and Exile, 1985) and “La Poesía y la Revolución” (Poetry and Revolution, 1989). These works explore the themes of exile, memory, and the political and social realities of his native Chile.

Legacy

Raúl Zurita is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Latin American literature. His work has been translated into numerous languages and has been widely praised by critics and readers alike. He has received numerous awards and honors, including the Chilean National Prize for Literature in 2000 and the Cervantes Prize in 2018. His work continues to inspire and influence writers and readers around the world.

Date modified: Apr 8, 2023
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