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Mexican literature mourns Vicente Quirarte, writer and professor who shaped generations
🇲🇽 Mexico /Culture & Society

Mexican literature mourns Vicente Quirarte, writer and professor who shaped generations

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Mexican writer, poet, essayist, and narrator Vicente Quirarte has died at the age of 72.
  • Quirarte was a member of prominent Mexican literary institutions, including El Colegio Nacional and the Mexican Academy of Language.
  • Colleagues and institutions have expressed deep sadness, remembering his lucid voice and significant contributions to Mexican literature.

Mexico's literary community mourns the loss of Vicente Quirarte, a celebrated poet, essayist, and narrator who passed away at 72. Quirarte was a distinguished member of El Colegio Nacional and the Mexican Academy of Language, leaving behind a significant legacy in Mexican letters.

With the most profound sadness we communicate the passing of Vicente Quirarte Castañeda, an insignia member of El Colegio Nacional and one of the most outstanding poets, essayists, narrators, and playwrights that Mexico has produced. He was recognized both in the country that saw him born and in the most illustrious institutions abroad. His death leaves an irreplaceable place, but we are sure that his work and his memory will be among us. Rest in peace.

— Leonardo López LujánPresident of El Colegio Nacional, announcing Quirarte's death.

Leonardo López Luján, president of El Colegio Nacional, announced Quirarte's death with profound sadness. He described Quirarte as an "insignia member" and one of Mexico's most outstanding writers, whose work garnered recognition both domestically and internationally. López Luján emphasized that Quirarte's passing leaves an "irreplaceable void," but his work and memory will endure.

The Mexican Academy of Language also joined the condolences, stating that his "work and labor marked several generations." Literatura UNAM and the Revista de la Universidad echoed these sentiments, highlighting Quirarte's "lucid, erudite voice, and knowledge of the language." The latter noted his formation at UNAM and his memberships in El Colegio Nacional and the Mexican Academy of Language.

His work and labor marked several generations.

— Mexican Academy of LanguageCommenting on Vicente Quirarte's legacy.

Writer Roberto Abad recalled Quirarte as "extremely generous," appreciating his imagination that blended the city with the fantastic, specifically mentioning "Sintaxis del vampiro" as a beautiful work. Martín Solares, another writer, declared Quirarte's death a "great loss for the literary creation of this country."

A lucid, erudite voice, and knowledge of the language is gone.

— Revista de la UniversidadRemembering Vicente Quirarte.

Born in Mexico City on July 19, 1954, Quirarte focused his studies at UNAM on Hispanic Letters, with a particular emphasis on Mexican literature. He authored numerous books, including "Bisturí de cuatro filos" (2020), "Sintaxis del vampiro" (2019), and "Razones del samurái" (2000). He was a recipient of the National Essay Prize José Revueltas in 1990 and the Xavier Villaurrutia Prize in 1991.

He seemed like an extremely generous person. I appreciate his imagination: the city and the fantastic. 'Sintaxis del vampiro' is very beautiful. Rest in peace.

— Roberto AbadWriter Roberto Abad's tribute to Vicente Quirarte.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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