Julio Garmendia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Julio Garmendia
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| Born | January 9, 1898 El Tocuyo, Lara state, Venezuela |
| Died | July 8, 1977 (age 78) Caracas, Venezuela |
| Citizenship | Venezuelan |
| Notable works | La Tienda de Muñecos |
Julio Garmendia (born 1898, died 1977) was an important Venezuelan writer. He also worked as a journalist and a diplomat, which means he represented his country in other nations. He is known for his unique stories, especially those that mix real life with fantasy.
Julio Garmendia's Life
Julio Garmendia was born on January 9, 1898. His birthplace was a farm called "El Molino" in El Tocuyo, Lara state, Venezuela. His parents were Dr. Rafael Garmendia Rodríguez and Celsa Murrieta. Sadly, his mother passed away when he was young. Because of this, he spent his early years living with his grandmother in Barquisimeto.
In 1915, when he was 17, Julio moved to Caracas with his father. He quickly started working as a journalist. He wrote for the El Universal newspaper and various magazines of that time. He was also very active in the city's intellectual groups, where thinkers and artists met.
Julio Garmendia was one of the first students at the La Salle school. He published a small essay in a journal called "El Eco Industrial" in 1909. In 1914, he began studying at the Instituto de Comercio de Caracas. However, he soon left his studies to work as a writer for El Universal. During this time, he met people who were part of the famous Generation of 1928, a group of young Venezuelan intellectuals.
A Diplomat's Journey
Julio Garmendia also had a career as a diplomat. This meant he worked for the Venezuelan government in other countries. His first diplomatic job was at the Venezuelan Legation in Paris, France. After that, he became a Consul. A consul is an official who helps citizens of their home country living or traveling abroad. He served as a consul in different cities, including Genoa (Italy), Copenhagen (Denmark), and Norway. He worked as a diplomat from 1923 to 1940.
His Fantastic Books
While he was living in Paris, Julio Garmendia published his first book in 1927. It was called La Tienda de Muñecos (The Doll Shop). Many literary experts believe this book was the very first work of fantastic fiction in Venezuela. Fantastic fiction is a type of story that includes magical or impossible elements in a realistic setting.
After traveling through countries in Northern Europe, he started working on his second book, La Tuna de Oro (The Golden Prickly Pear). He finished this book in 1961. In this work, the stories have a darker mood. This mood was inspired by the feelings he had during his travels in Europe.
Julio Garmendia passed away in Caracas on July 8, 1977, at the age of 78.
List of Works
- La Tienda de Muñecos (1927)
- La Tuna de Oro (1951)
- La Hoja que no Había Caído en su Otoño (1979)
- Opiniones para Después de la Muerte (1984)
See also
In Spanish: Julio Garmendia para niños
