Demetrio Aguilera Malta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Demetrio Aguilera Malta
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| Born | May 24, 1909 Guayaquil, Ecuador |
| Died | 29 December 1981 (aged 72) Mexico City, Mexico |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Nationality | Ecuadorian |
| Genre | Social Realism, Magical Realism |
| Notable works | Seven Serpents and Seven Moons |
Demetrio Aguilera Malta (born May 24, 1909, in Guayaquil, Ecuador – died December 29, 1981, in Mexico City) was a talented Ecuadorian writer, film director, painter, and diplomat. He was part of a famous group of writers called the Guayaquil Group in the 1930s. They wrote stories that showed real-life problems, a style known as social realism. Aguilera Malta also used a special style called magical realism in his most famous book, Siete lunas y siete serpientes (1970), which means Seven Serpents and Seven Moons.
Contents
Life Story of Demetrio Aguilera Malta
Demetrio Aguilera Malta was born on May 24, 1909, in Guayaquil, Ecuador. His parents were Demetrio Aguilera Sánchez and Teresa Malta y Franco. His father was a successful businessman with factories and farms.
Demetrio spent much of his childhood on his family's farm. This farm was located on an island in the Gulf of Guayaquil. He was taught at home by his mother and private teachers.
He later attended Vicente Rocafuerte School, graduating in 1929. There, the famous writer José de la Cuadra was his literature teacher. Demetrio started studying law in college but stopped in 1931. He then received a scholarship to study literature in Ecuador and in Madrid, Spain.
Demetrio Aguilera Malta's Diplomatic Career
Aguilera Malta held several important government jobs. In 1947, he worked for the Ecuadorian Embassy in Chile. He was a charge d'affaires, meaning he was in charge when the main ambassador was away.
Later, in 1949, he became a Cultural Attaché in Brazil. This role meant he helped share Ecuadorian culture in Brazil. From 1979 until his death in 1981, he was Ecuador's Ambassador to Mexico.
Teaching and Journalism
Demetrio Aguilera Malta also gave talks and courses at many universities. These included schools in North and South America, like Claremont Colleges.
He worked as a war reporter during the Spanish Civil War. He wrote for newspapers like La Prensa and El Telégrafo in Ecuador. He also wrote for newspapers in Panama.
His Legacy and Family
Aguilera Malta is known as one of Ecuador's most important writers. He helped start the Casa de la Cultura (House of Ecuadorian Culture). He also co-founded the Guayaquil Group with his close friend Joaquín Gallegos Lara.
His books have been published and translated into many languages around the world. He moved to Mexico in 1958. He had one son, Ciro, from an earlier relationship. With his wife, Adda Rosa Endara, he had two daughters, Adda Teresa and Marlene.
Demetrio Aguilera Malta had diabetes and lost his eyesight in his later years. He passed away on December 29, 1981, in Mexico City, after a fall caused a brain hemorrhage.
Awards and Recognition
Demetrio Aguilera Malta received several awards for his work. In 1930, he won two awards at the Art Salon.
In 1971, he received a gold medal from the city of Guayaquil. This was given during a meeting of Latin American writers. In 1981, he was honored with the Eugenio Espejo Prize. This award recognized his amazing career as a writer.
Films by Demetrio Aguilera Malta
Aguilera Malta was also involved in filmmaking.
Feature Films He Directed
- La Cadena Infinita (Chile, 1948)
- Entre dos Carnavales (Brazil, 1949) – This was the first color movie made in Brazil!
Documentaries He Filmed
In 1954, Aguilera Malta made four documentaries. The Ministry of Public Works asked him to make these films to promote Ecuador.
- El transporte de banano (Banana Transport)
- Los Salasacas (About the Salasaca people)
- Los Colorados (About the Tsáchila people, also known as Colorados)
- Las Iglesias de Quito (The Churches of Quito)
Images for kids
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Demetrio Aguilera Malta
See also
In Spanish: Demetrio Aguilera Malta para niños
