Roberto Fernández Retamar facts for kids
Roberto Fernández Retamar (born June 9, 1930, in Havana – died July 20, 2019) was an important Cuban writer. He was a poet, an essayist (someone who writes short pieces on a topic), and a literary critic (someone who reviews books). He also led a famous cultural organization called Casa de las Américas.
As the head of Casa de las Américas, Fernández Retamar was also part of the Council of State of Cuba. This was a very important government group. He was close to key leaders like Che Guevara and Fidel Castro. He played a big role in Cuba from the 1959 Cuban Revolution until he passed away. Fernández Retamar wrote many poetry books and started the cultural magazine for Casa de las Américas.
Professor Joao Cesar Castro de Rocha called Retamar "one of the most distinguished Latin American intellectuals of the twentieth century." In 1989, he won the National Prize for Literature. This is Cuba's top award for writers.
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What Was Roberto Fernández Retamar's Role?
Roberto Fernández Retamar was a central figure in Cuban culture and politics. He helped shape ideas and art in Cuba for many years. His work at Casa de las Américas was very important. This organization promotes Latin American culture and literature.
His Important Role in Cuba
After the 1959 Cuban Revolution, Fernández Retamar became a key person. He worked closely with the new leaders. His influence helped guide Cuba's cultural direction. He believed that art and literature should serve the people.
What is "On Caliban"?
One of Fernández Retamar's most famous ideas is about "Caliban." This idea came from a play by Shakespeare called The Tempest. In the play, Caliban is a character who is seen as wild and uncivilized.
Caliban as a Symbol
Another writer, Jose Enrique Rodó, used a different character, Ariel, to represent Latin American culture. But in 1971, Fernández Retamar suggested something different. He said that Caliban was a better symbol for the Cuban people. He believed Caliban represented their strength and unique identity. He famously said, "Our symbol is not Ariel, as Rodó thought, but Caliban." He felt this character showed the true reality of their culture.
Roberto Fernández Retamar's Writings
Roberto Fernández Retamar wrote many books of poetry and essays. His works often explored Cuban identity and Latin American culture. He published his first poetry book, Elegía como un himno, in 1950. Over the years, he released many more collections of poems.
Poetry Collections
Some of his well-known poetry books include:
- Alabanzas, conversaciones (1955)
- Con las mismas manos (1962)
- Buena suerte viviendo (1967)
- Palabra de mi pueblo (1980)
- Hemos construido una alegría olvidada (1989)
Essay Collections
He also wrote many important essays. These essays discussed literature, history, and Cuban society. His essay Calibán (1971) is one of his most famous works. It explains his ideas about Caliban as a symbol. Other essay collections include:
- La poesía contemporánea en Cuba (1954)
- Ensayo de otro mundo (1967)
- Para una teoría de la literatura hispanoamericana (1975)
- Cuba defendida (1996)
See also
In Spanish: Roberto Fernández Retamar para niños
