Pedro Lemebel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pedro Lemebel
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| Born | Pedro Segundo Mardones Lemebel 21 November 1952 Santiago, Chile |
| Died | 23 January 2015 (aged 62) Santiago, Chile |
| Occupation | Reporter, performance artist, chronicler |
| Language | Spanish |
| Nationality | Chilean |
| Education | Plastic arts |
| Alma mater | University of Chile |
Pedro Lemebel (born November 21, 1952 – died January 23, 2015) was an important Chilean writer and artist. He was known for his essays, stories, and unique performances. Lemebel often wrote about people who felt left out of society. He was nominated for Chile's National Literature Prize in 2014. Pedro Lemebel passed away from laryngeal cancer in Santiago, Chile, in 2015.
Contents
Life and Early Career
Growing Up in Santiago
Pedro Lemebel was born in a less wealthy part of Santiago, Chile. Later in his life, he decided to use his mother's last name, Lemebel. This was a personal choice, as people in many Latin American countries usually use their father's last name.
He went to an industrial high school. There, he learned skills like carpentry and metalworking. After that, he studied plastic art at the University of Chile. He then became a high school art teacher.
Starting His Writing Journey
Lemebel joined writing workshops to improve his skills. He also met other writers there. In 1982, he won his first writing award for a short story. Its title was Porque el tiempo está cerca.
In 1986, he published his first big book, Incontables. This book was a collection of short stories. It was released by a publisher that focused on women's issues.
A year later, he helped start a performance group. This group used surprising actions to make people think. They wanted to bring attention to the challenges faced by minority groups in Chile. These performances made Lemebel well-known in his country.
The Mares of the Apocalypse
In 1987, Lemebel formed a special group with Francisco Casas. Francisco was a poet and art student. They called their duo "The Mares of the Apocalypse," or "Yeguas del Apocalipsis." This name was a playful reference to a famous biblical story.
This duo would often appear unexpectedly at events. They would go to book launches, art shows, and even political talks. Their performances were surprising and made people think differently. They showed a unique way of looking at culture.
Urban Stories and Other Works
Earlier in his career, Lemebel made friends with writers like Pía Barros. She later helped publish his first book. In the 1990s, Lemebel started writing many urban stories. These were published in Chilean newspapers and magazines. They were also read on the radio.
In 1995 and 1996, Lemebel wrote two important books. They combined reporting, personal memories, and social analysis. In 1995, he published La Esquina es mi corazón: Crónica urbana (The Corner is My Heart). This book told Chilean history from the viewpoint of young people from poor areas. It also featured those who faced social judgment.
In 1996, he released Loco afán: Crónicas de sidario (Mad Urge: AIDS Chronicles). This work had 31 short texts and images. It showed the journey of young people in Chile who were often left out. It covered the time from the dictatorship to the start of the AIDS crisis.
In 1999, Lemebel received a scholarship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. This award was for his writing achievements. It led to him speaking at many events in Chile and the United States.
His novel Tengo miedo torero was his first book translated into English. In 2013, he won the José Donoso Award.
International Recognition
Reaching a Wider Audience
In 1999, Lemebel's book Loco Afán: Crónicas de Sidario was published in Spain. This happened thanks to his friend, the Chilean writer Roberto Bolaño. This was Lemebel's first work published outside Chile. From then on, universities and schools around the world became interested in his writing.
That same year, he also attended a book festival in Guadalajara, Mexico. He went in place of Bolaño, who could not make it.
In 2001, he published his first novel, Tengo miedo torero. This was a story about love during a difficult time in Chile. It was set during an attempt on the life of Augusto Pinochet in 1986. For the book's launch, Lemebel arrived in a striking red dress. The event was attended by many important people. This book later became famous worldwide. It was translated into English, French, and Italian.
Later Works and Awards
Lemebel continued his work as a writer. In 2003, he published Zanjón de la Aguada. This book was a collection of stories about the gay community in Santiago. It included real people, like social leader Sola Sierra. A year later, he released Adios Mariquita Linda, another collection of stories.
In 2008, his sixth book of stories, Serenata Carfiola, came out. In 2012, Lemebel presented his new book, Háblame de amores, at a book fair in Mexico. He also performed a dramatic reading of his work.
On September 4, 2013, Lemebel received the "Premio José Donoso" award. He dedicated this prize to his mother and to his working-class readers.
List of Works
- La esquina es mi corazón.
- Loco afán: Crónicas de sidario (chronicles). Santiago: LOM, 1996.
- De perlas y cicatrices (chronicles). Santiago: LOM, 1998.
- Tengo miedo torero (novel). Santiago: Grupo Editorial Planeta, 2001. (translated as My Tender Matador by Katherine Silver, published by Grove in 2005)
- La esquina es mi corazón (chronicles). Santiago: Seix Barral, 2001.
- Zanjón de la Aguada. Santiago: Seix Barral, 2003.
- Adiós, mariquita linda.
- Serenata cafiola.
- Háblame de amores.
- Poco hombre.
- Mi amiga Gladys.
- Tengo miedo torero (script), 2015. (translated as My tender Matador for the film based on his homonymous novel)
Awards and Prizes
- 1983: First Prize in the Contest of the Compensation Fund of Javier Carrera for "Porque el tiempo está cerca"
- 1999: Guggenheim Fellowship
- 2002: Nominated for the Altazor Award for "Tengo miedo torero"
- 2004: Nominated for the Altazor Award for "Zanjón de la Aguada"
- 2006: Nominated for the Altazor Award in Literary Essay for "Adiós, mariquita linda"
- 2006: Anna Seghers-Preis
- 2006: Nominated for the Altazor Award for the theatrical version of "Tengo miedo torero"
- 2013: Nominated for the Altazor Award in Essays and Memoirs for "Háblame de amores"
- 2013: Premio José Donoso
- 2014: Nominated for the Altazor Award in Essays and Memoirs for "Poco hombre"
- 2014: Nominated for the Chilean National Prize for Literature
Death and Legacy
Pedro Lemebel passed away on January 23, 2015, in Santiago, Chile. He had been battling laryngeal cancer. Many people attended his funeral, including famous figures and politicians.
Lemebel's unique way of expressing himself through writing and activism had a lasting effect. He helped break down barriers and left a strong impact on society. His remains are buried in the Metropolitan Cemetery of Santiago.
Lasting Influence
Pedro Lemebel is remembered for his important role in fighting for the rights of people who were often ignored. He was also known for his powerful writing and strong political views.
In 2019, a documentary film called Lemebel was made about his life. It was directed by Joanna Reposi Garibaldi.
See also
In Spanish: Pedro Lemebel para niños
