Julio Correa facts for kids

Julio Correa Myzkowsky (born August 30, 1890 – died July 14, 1953) was a famous Paraguayan poet. He wrote many of his works in the Guarani language, which is widely spoken in Paraguay. He was also known as an actor and director.

Julio Correa began sharing his poems in 1926. A poet named Manuel Ortiz Guerrero encouraged him. Julio started writing a column called "Small Street Dialogues" for the Guarani newspaper. His talent really shone during the Chaco War (1932–1935). People loved his works in Guarani, and he became very well-known.

From 1934 to 1936, he published more poems in Guarania magazine. These poems later became part of his book Body and Soul (1943). In 1947, he faced challenges because of his writings. The civil war that year was difficult for him. He spent his last years quietly at his home in Luque, where he passed away on July 14, 1953.

Early Life and Background

Julio Correa's family had roots from different countries. His mother's grandfather, Myzkowsky, was from Poland. His father was from Portugal. Julio left school when he was young.

His family used to be wealthy. However, they lost much of their money after the war of 1870. His father, who was of Brazilian background, fought in that war. After the war ended, he decided to stay in Paraguay. As a child, Julio grew up among people who spoke Guarani. He spent time with country folk and farm workers. This helped him understand their daily struggles. As an adult, he felt he could speak for these people. He did this through his plays and his actions in society.

He was also good friends with the sculptor Erminio Blotta. Blotta was from Rosario, Argentina, and became an honorary citizen of Paraguay.

His Family and Theatre Work

Julio Correa was married to an actress named Georgina Martínez. Together, they started a theatre company. They traveled all over Paraguay with their plays. Their shows often talked about unfair land ownership. They also highlighted the struggles of working people in the countryside.

What Made Julio Correa Special

Walter Wey, a researcher from Brazil, described Julio Correa well. He said Julio was a poet, a playwright, and a storyteller. He was known for his sharp and sometimes funny stories. Even if people felt a bit teased by his stories, they knew them by heart. Because of his strong opinions, he was sometimes bothered and even put in jail.

Julio Correa is known as the creator of Guarani theatre. He was a great writer and actor. He believed that the biggest problem in Paraguay was how land was shared. He agreed with Justo Pastor Benítez, who said, "the Paraguayan people are just a mere occupant of his own land." Julio Correa fought against large landholdings, whether owned by people from Paraguay or other countries.

Even though he was a famous poet, his house in Luque didn't have many books. Instead, it had farm animals. This showed he was a poet who connected with the land and its people. He didn't focus on formal education. He wrote poems in Spanish for his book Alma y Cuerpo (Body and Soul). His work helped start a new style of writing in Paraguay. Another writer, Hérib Campos Cervera, said that Julio Correa was "the great creator of images of our society and problematic, the drama of misery, land, blood and jealousy."

His Works

Julio Correa wrote many plays and poems. Here are some of his well-known works:

• "Ñane mba’era’y" (What cannot be ours)
• "Guerra aja" (During the war)
• "Karai Ulogio" (Mister Ulogio)
• "Tereko yevy fréntepe" (Go back to the front)
• "Pleito rire" (After the dispute)
• "Péicha guarante" (Just like that)
• "Sandía yvyguy" (Hidden watermelon)
• "Karu poka" (Poor eating)
• "Honorio causa" (Because of Honorio)
• "Po’a nda ja jokoi" (Luck is not stopped)
• "Sombrero kaá" (A Guarani phrase meaning "the lover of another one's love")

He also wrote plays like "Yvy yara", "Toribio", "Yuaijhugui reí", "Po’a rusuva" and La culpa de bueno.

Some of his stories include "Nicolasia del Espiritu Santo" (1943), "El Padre Cantalicio", "El borracho de la casa" and "El hombre que robó una pava" (unfinished). These stories were published after he passed away.

Last Years and Legacy

Julio Correa died on July 14, 1953, in Luque, Paraguay. This city is close to Paraguay's capital, Asunción. Today, his former home in Luque has been turned into the Museum Julio Correa. It helps people remember his important contributions to Paraguayan culture and the Guarani language.

See also

In Spanish: Julio Correa para niños