Elizabeth Burgos facts for kids
Elisabeth Burgos-Debray was born in Valencia, Venezuela, in 1941. She is an anthropologist, a person who studies human societies and cultures. She is also known for editing a famous book called I, Rigoberta Menchú. This book tells the life story of Rigoberta Menchú, an indigenous woman from Guatemala. Elisabeth Burgos-Debray also directed the Maison de l'Amerique Latine in Paris and the Institut Cultural Français in Seville.
About Rigoberta Menchú's Book
Rigoberta Menchú shared her life story with Elisabeth Burgos-Debray through many interviews. Menchú explained that her Spanish speaking and writing skills were not very strong. Because of this, Burgos-Debray helped put Menchú's story together. The book describes Menchú's experiences as an indigenous woman. It also talks about difficult events caused by the Guatemalan military.
Menchú's story is a very important example of Latin American testimonios. These are personal accounts or testimonies. In the United States, the book was called I, Rigoberta Menchú. Its original Spanish title was Me llamo Rigoberta Menchú y así me nació la conciencia. In the book, Burgos-Debray also included quotes from the Popol Vuh. This is a sacred book of the Mayan people. These quotes helped set the mood for Menchú's story. The English translation of the book became very well known around the world.
Menchú stated that after the book won the Casas de las Américas prize in 1983, she did not receive any prize money. She said she then learned that Burgos-Debray had registered the copyrights in her own name. However, another anthropologist, David Stoll, supported Burgos-Debray's claim. He said that she paid all the money from the book to an organization chosen by Menchú.
Her Personal Life
Elisabeth Burgos-Debray and her former husband, Régis Debray, have a daughter. Their daughter is the writer Laurence Debray, who was born in 1976.
See also
In Spanish: Elizabeth Burgos para niños
