Hérib Campos Cervera facts for kids

Hérib Campos Cervera (born in 1905, died in 1953) was an important poet and writer from Paraguay. He is known for bringing new ideas to Paraguayan literature.

Early Life and Growing Up

Hérib Campos Cervera was born in Asunción, Paraguay, on March 30, 1905. His parents were Spanish. His father, also named Herib Campos Cervera, was a poet too. His mother, Alicia Diaz Perez, was the sister of a famous thinker named Viriato Díaz Pérez.

Hérib went to Colegio San Jose in Asunción as a boarding student. He sometimes called this school "a jail," which shows he had a very free and independent spirit even when he was young. Besides studying subjects like philosophy and math, he also enjoyed writing about books and, most of all, writing poetry.

A writer named Miguel Angel Fernandez said that Hérib had a tough childhood, often far from his parents. This experience seemed to affect his life and can be seen in his poems. His teenage years and early adulthood were also not easy.

Many experts on Paraguayan literature agree that Hérib Campos Cervera's work changed poetry in Paraguay. He helped start a new way of writing that was more modern and experimental.

Walter Wey, a Brazilian writer, said that Campos Cervera helped put Paraguayan literature on the same level as other modern writing across America. He did this by studying the local culture and people deeply. He also explored social and human topics, using many unexplored folk stories. In this way, he opened new paths for future writers in Paraguay.

His Journey and Work

In the 1920s, Hérib wrote for magazines like Juventud, Ideal, and Alas. His writing style at that time was similar to a movement called postmodernism, which explored new ways of thinking and writing. He sometimes used the pen name "Alfonso Monteverde."

In 1931, Hérib was involved in some political events. This led to his first time living away from his home country. He first went to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and then to Montevideo, Uruguay. During this time, he developed strong political beliefs, possibly influenced by new ideas about society and fairness that he encountered in Argentina and Uruguay.

In 1938, Hérib returned to Paraguay. He joined Josefina Pla, who had also come back from Europe. They became central figures in a group of young writers. This group included famous names like Augusto Roa Bastos, Oscar Ferreiro, Ezequiel Gonzalez Alsina, and Hugo Rodriguez Alcala. Later, this group became known as the "Generacion del 40" (Generation of '40) in Paraguayan literature. These young writers often met at a place called "Vy’a raity." Their works were published in magazines like Ateneo Paraguayo and Noticias, and in the literary section of the newspaper “El Pais.”

In 1940, General Jose Felix Estigarribia, the president of Paraguay, died in a plane crash. General Higinio Morinigo then became president. His government had similar ideas to some strong, nationalist leaders in Europe at the time. He ruled until 1948. A year before that, in 1947, Paraguay went through a very difficult and violent civil war. This war caused many talented artists and thinkers, including Hérib, to leave the country. Hérib went to live in Buenos Aires, where he stayed until he passed away.

Writers Cesar Alonso de las Heras and Juan Manuel Marcos said that Campos Cervera is like the "father" of modern Paraguayan literature. They explained that his poems were the first in Paraguay to show a great understanding of surrealist metaphors. He also used techniques similar to those of famous poets like Pablo Neruda and Nicolas Guillen. His work also had a feeling of sadness and longing, like the poems of Rafael Alberti, to whom he dedicated his work Regresarán un día (which means "They shall return one day").

His unique style was known for its longing and hope, beautiful words, and clear thoughts. It was deeply connected to the situation of his home country.

His Published Works

In 1950, Hérib published his only poetry book that came out during his lifetime. It was called Ceniza redimida (Redeemed Ash) and contained 28 of his best poems.

His second book of poems, Hombre secreto (Secret Man), was published after he died. He also wrote a story called “El buscador de fe” (The Seeker of Faith), a short novel titled El ojo enterrado (The Buried Eye), and a play for the theater called Juan Hachero. This play was never performed and remains unpublished. He also wrote a novel called Hombres en la selva (Men in the Jungle) and a poetry book called Romancero del destierro (Ballads of Exile). The original copies of these last two works were lost during his time living in Montevideo.

His Final Years

Hérib Campos Cervera was married to Tita de los Rios, but they later divorced. He also had children with Maria Carmen Palermo.

He passed away in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on August 28, 1953.

Humberto Perez Caceres, a journalist who worked with Hérib in Buenos Aires, shared Hérib's last message to his home country. Hérib believed that art, politics, and cultural works should be inspired by the best parts of a nation. He felt that artists should focus on their own country first, then expand to universal themes. He said that art should not be useless or just about beauty, but should serve the country, help it improve, bring it happiness, and ensure justice. He believed that artists should dedicate all their efforts to their country, its people, its workers, and its women.

See also

In Spanish: Hérib Campos Cervera para niños