September 2024 - Ecuadorian Literature

Vicente Cuesta Ordóñez

Vicente Cuesta Ordóñez (Cuenca) is an Ecuadorian poet, writer, and physician known for his enduring dedication to Manta’s cultural scene. He was an active member of the Grupo Cultural Manta for nearly 50 years. Historian José Elías Sánchez Ramos described him as an “indefatigable writer and poet.” His poetry collections include Al Umbral del Silencio (1999) and Por los rincones del tiempo – Sonetos de una vida (2013). He also authored the historical study Historia de la Medicina en Manta (History of Medicine in Manta).

Seventeen Stab Wounds Ain’t Nothing by Pedro Gil Flores

Translated to English by Richard Gabela on September 17, 2024, from the original work “Diecisiete puñaladas no son nada” by Pedro Gil Flores (1971-2022) of Manta, Ecuador. I have translated the title of the poem as “Seventeen Stab Wounds Ain’t Nothing.”

Ramiro Dávila Grijalva

Ramiro Dávila Grijalva (Quito, 1945) is an Ecuadorian poet and playwright known for his literary works that explore cultural and historical themes. He is the author of El Canto de las Sirenas (1982), a notable collection of poetry, and the play Tragedia de la Prisión y Muerte de Atahualpa (1988), which dramatizes the tragic fate of the Inca ruler Atahualpa. His other works include the play Leonor Yupangui, Esther de las Indias (2018), which is inspired by indigenous legends and history, as well as other plays like El Cóndor Enamorado and La Leyenda del Tío Lobo y el Sobrino Conejo. His poetry collections also include Historia de un Jilguero and Jugar Rayuela, Mi Voz y Otros Delirios (2007). Dávila Grijalva’s contributions have been recognized and preserved in various Ecuadorian libraries and cultural institutions.

Iván Petroff Rojas

Iván Petroff Rojas (Cuenca, 1956) is an Ecuadorian writer, poet, and educator known for his contributions to contemporary literature. A prominent figure in the “new Cuenca literature” movement of the 1980s, he has published a diverse body of work that includes poetry, short stories, and essays. His writings often explore themes such as mythology, magic, and music, with a focus on the depth of human experience. Notable works like En las formas del amor y la guerra (1989) and Fuego cruzado (2020) showcase his ability to blend cultural and social commentary with narrative art. Petroff Rojas has also been influential in the cultural scene of Cuenca, serving as the president of the Casa de la Cultura Núcleo del Azuay and teaching at the University of Cuenca. His dedication to literature and culture has made him a significant voice in Ecuadorian arts and letters.