César Ariosto Orellana (born circa early 1900s – unknown) was a co-founder of the César Borja Literary Society in Quito, Ecuador, alongside Jorge Carrera Andrade and Luis Aníbal Sánchez in January 1917. He attended Colegio Mejía, a high school in Quito, beginning in 1914, where he joined a budding literary circle that included future luminaries such as Carrera Andrade, later regarded as one of Ecuador’s foremost 20th-century poets, and Sánchez, an influential figure in Ecuadorian prose poetry of the modernismo era before his untimely death at 20. In April 1917, the society published the magazine La Idea, serving as its official organ, with Orellana as the magazine’s president and Carrera Andrade as treasurer. La Idea provided an early platform for poets such as Carrera Andrade, Sánchez, and Gonzalo Pozo, publishing works largely influenced by the modernismo movement as well as literary essays.
Literary Career
César Ariosto Orellana’s literary career, though not extensively documented, is marked by his significant role in the foundation of the César Borja Literary Society and the publication of La Idea, a magazine that fostered the early development of Ecuador’s modernist literary movement. As the magazine’s president, Orellana oversaw the publication of works by emerging poets, including Jorge Carrera Andrade and Luis Aníbal Sánchez, both of whom would become key figures in Ecuadorian literature. His collaboration with these and other young writers established him as a central figure in Quito’s literary circles of the early 20th century. Through La Idea, Orellana contributed to creating a platform that celebrated modernismo and encouraged innovative literary expression in both poetry and prose, thus playing an instrumental role in promoting Ecuador’s literary identity. While his own writings remain less known, his influence within the society and the magazine underscored his commitment to advancing Ecuadorian literature during a formative period.
References
- Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar Repository. Runa Kuti, Issue 15, Article by Ho-Ojeda. Retrieved on October 28, 2024. Click to view.
- Colegio Fiscal Dr. Jorge Carrera Andrade. Dr. Jorge Carrera Andrade. Retrieved on October 28, 2024. Click to view.
- Rodolfo Pérez Pimentel. Carrera Andrade, Jorge. Retrieved on October 28, 2024. Click to view.
- Rodolfo Pérez Pimentel. Orellana, César Ariosto. Retrieved on October 28, 2024. Click to view.