María Leonor Madinyá Andrade (Guayaquil, February 15, 1936 – Guayaquil, September 7, 2006) was an Ecuadorian poet known for her deeply introspective and melancholic poetry. Despite becoming blind at the age of 22, she mastered Braille and continued her literary pursuits, becoming an advocate for the blind. Her works, such as Palpitar de un sueño (1966) and Ventana del Alba (1968), are celebrated for their emotional depth and spiritual themes. Madinyá also hosted the long-running radio program Música y Poesía, promoting poetry in Ecuador for over two decades.
Early Life and Education
María Leonor Madinyá Andrade, a prominent Ecuadorian poet, was born on February 15, 1936, in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Her parents, Eloy Madinyá Veintimilla, a teacher, and Adelaida Andrade Valero, separated shortly after her birth, and María Leonor was raised by her mother. Adelaida later remarried Víctor Manuel Herrera Pérez, who played a significant role in María Leonor’s early education, teaching her to read and write. By the age of seven, she impressed her school authorities at Escuela Fiscal No. 23 “José Mejía Lequerica”, earning admission directly into the second grade.
Although she excelled academically, María Leonor’s melancholic and sensitive nature made her feel isolated. These emotional struggles, combined with a deep connection to nature, contributed to the introspective and contemplative style that would later define her poetry. At the age of eleven, during a visit to her uncle’s farm, she had a moment of inspiration that sparked her love for poetry—sitting under a tree, she imagined the leaves communicating, marking the start of her poetic journey.
Personal Life and Struggles with Blindness
In 1953, María Leonor completed her secondary education at the Instituto Particular Justino Cornejo. However, soon after graduation, she suffered a life-changing accident. She fell into a sewer hole and sustained a head injury that eventually led to the loss of vision in her right eye. Over the next few years, despite receiving medical treatment, her vision continued to deteriorate, and by 1958, María Leonor became completely blind.
This sudden loss of sight plunged her into a deep depression, leading her to isolate herself for nearly two years. In 1959, however, she found the strength to overcome her emotional struggles. Hearing her mother cry outside her door became a turning point, and María Leonor decided to reclaim her life. She began learning Braille from Matías Alcívar Franco, later continuing her studies with Byron Eguiguren Ordoñez. By 1959, she enrolled in the Escuela Municipal de Ciegos (Municipal School for the Blind) in Guayaquil, where she studied for four years.
During this time, her family, particularly her mother and niece, read to her frequently since Braille literature was difficult to find in Ecuador. These experiences not only deepened her love for literature but also prepared her to return to the literary world as a blind poet.
Literary Career
María Leonor’s poetic career formally began in 1960 when she befriended Francisco Pérez Febres-Cordero, a poet whose work she admired. Pérez Febres Cordero read one of her poems and arranged for its publication in the literary supplement of El Universo newspaper, marking the start of her public recognition as a poet. Her sensitive and melancholic poetry quickly garnered attention.
In 1962, María Leonor launched her own weekly radio show, “Música y Poesía”, on Radio Cristal. The program featured both her own poems and works by other poets, gaining widespread popularity. Through her work on the radio, María Leonor became an influential figure in Ecuador’s cultural landscape, making poetry more accessible to the public.
Her first collection of poems, “Palpitar de un sueño” (1966), was followed by “Ventana del Alba” (1968), which won a Ministry of Education Award. In 1974, she published “Dialogar íntimo”, further establishing herself as one of Ecuador’s leading poets. In 1970, she co-authored “Pórtico entre dos almas” with Dr. Gonzalo Medina Murillo.
María Leonor was also closely connected with the Ecuadorian literary community, especially through her friendship with poet Ileana Espinel. Espinel recognized María Leonor’s talent and potential early on, referring to her as a “romantic and dreamer.” Through Espinel’s encouragement, María Leonor expanded her influence within Ecuador’s literary circles, meeting other writers and establishing herself as a significant voice in the country’s poetic scene.
In addition to her work as a poet, María Leonor wrote the lyrics for the pasillo song “Ansias de amor”, which was composed by the renowned Ecuadorian musician Nicasio Safadi.
Blindness and Advocacy
María Leonor’s blindness became a defining aspect of her life and work. After initially struggling with the emotional impact of her condition, she embraced it and became an advocate for the blind. Her mastery of Braille allowed her to continue reading and writing, and she became an active promoter of Braille literacy in Ecuador, where resources for the visually impaired were scarce.
In 1976, María Leonor was invited to study at the Instituto de Ciegos “Luis Braille” in Lima, Peru. She took courses in tiflology (the study of blindness) and clinical psychology, while also giving poetry recitals throughout the country. From 1976 to 1983, she lived intermittently in Lima, where she continued both her studies and her literary work, further cementing her status as an advocate for the blind.
Legacy and Death
By the late 1970s and early 1980s, María Leonor Madinyá Andrade had become one of Ecuador’s most celebrated poets. Her biography was included in the “Diccionario de la Literatura” by the Barriga López brothers, and her works were featured in numerous anthologies. Known for her mastery of the sonnet, her poetry was lauded for its emotional depth, rhythmic precision, and spiritual themes.
In her later years, María Leonor began preparing her fifth collection of poetry, “Arias del Corazón”, which contained unpublished poems written after the death of her mother. Unfortunately, she was unable to see the project to completion due to her declining health.
On September 7, 2006, María Leonor Madinyá Andrade passed away at the age of 70, following a cardiac arrest. Her death marked the end of a life defined by resilience, creativity, and an enduring commitment to literature. She left behind a legacy as both a poet and an advocate for the blind, whose life and work continue to inspire.
Selected Works
- Palpitar de un sueño (1966)
- Ventana del Alba (1968)
- Dialogar íntimo (1974)
- Pórtico entre dos almas (1970, co-authored)
- Arias del Corazón (unpublished)
References
- Rodolfo Pérez Pimentel, “María Leonor Madinyá Andrade.” Retrieved on October 20, 2024. Click to view.
- La Hora, “Guayaquil, 14/10/06: Agradecimiento e Invitación Religiosa.” Retrieved on October 20, 2024. Click to view.
- Biblioteca Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana, “María Leonor Madinyá Andrade: Book Listings.” Retrieved on October 20, 2024. Click to view.
- Ediciones Letras y Poesía, “María Leonor Madinyá Andrade.” Retrieved on October 20, 2024. Click to view.
- University of New Mexico Digital Repository, “Discografía del Pasillo Ecuatoriano.” Retrieved on October 20, 2024. Click to view.
Name variations
- María Leonor Madinyá Andrade
- María Leonor Madinyá Herrera