Antonio Correa Losada (Pitalito, Colombia, 1950) is a Colombian-born poet, essayist, editor, and cultural manager residing in Ecuador. He has published numerous works of poetry, including El vuelo del cormorán (1989; “The Flight of the Cormorant”) and Desolación de la lluvia (1997; “Desolation of the Rain”), as well as essays and chronicles such as Crimen y castigo o la expiación que no cesa (2001; “Crime and Punishment or the Unending Atonement”) and Un camino abierto (2002; “An Open Path”). With a career spanning Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador, Correa Losada has been an influential figure in publishing and cultural events, earning Ecuadorian citizenship in 2008 for his contributions to the country’s literary scene.
Early Life and Education
Antonio Correa Losada was born in 1950 in Pitalito, Huila, Colombia. He developed a passion for literature and culture early in life, eventually pursuing formal studies in editorial processes and cultural management. His academic journey took him to Mexico City and Bogotá, where he specialized in publishing, and to Madrid, where he studied cultural management. These studies laid the groundwork for a diverse career across Colombia, Mexico, and Ecuador.
Literary Career
Correa Losada is a multifaceted writer, known for his contributions as a poet, essayist, editor, and chronicler. He began his publishing career with El vuelo del cormorán (1989), followed by several poetry collections, including Húmedo umbral (1992), Desolación de la lluvia (1997), Secreta mudanza (2004), and Crónica de Magdalena River (2008). His anthology Huellas en el agua (2011) further solidified his position in the literary world, and in 2016, he published the novel Bajo la noche. In 2019, he was awarded the prestigious Jorge Carrera Andrade Prize for his poetry collection Oscuridad arriba.
In addition to poetry, Correa Losada has written essays, including Crimen y castigo o la expiación que no cesa (2001), and chronicles such as Un camino abierto (2002), which delves into shamanism in the Amazon, and El corazón del pan (2003), a historical exploration of yeast in Colombia.
Correa Losada also contributed to the Ecuadorian literary scene by curating anthologies like Bandada. Novísima Poesía del Ecuador (2013) and Mujeres que hablan. Literatura Ecuatoriana Contemporánea (2015). His literary works have appeared in various anthologies, and some of his poems have been translated into English and French.
Editorial and Cultural Contributions
Throughout his career, Correa Losada has played an influential role in cultural management and publishing. He served as the editor for various institutions, including the Secretariat of Public Education in Mexico from 1979 to 1984 and the Editorial Magisterio in Bogotá from 1989 to 1995. He was the editor for Ecuador’s National Campaign for Books and Reading from 2003 to 2007. Additionally, Correa Losada was a literary advisor to prestigious magazines such as Común Presencia and El Búho.
He has also been involved in organizing significant literary events, including the International Writers’ Meeting in Quito and serving as a juror for poetry awards like the Pichincha Poetry Prize (2010) and the Colombian Ministry of Culture’s Atlantic Poetry Prize (2002).
Personal Life and Recognition
In 2008, Correa Losada was granted Ecuadorian citizenship in recognition of his significant cultural contributions to the country. Now residing in Quito, Ecuador, he continues his literary and editorial work.
Selected Works
Poetry Collections:
- El vuelo del cormorán (1989)
- Húmedo umbral (1992)
- Desolación de la lluvia (1997)
- Secreta mudanza (2004)
- Crónica de Magdalena River (2008)
- Huellas en el agua: Antología (2011)
- Cabeza devorada (2016)
- Oscuridad arriba (2019) – Awarded the Jorge Carrera Andrade Prize
Essays:
- Crimen y castigo o la expiación que no cesa (2001)
Chronicles:
- Un camino abierto. Sobre el chamanismo y otras creencias (2002)
- El corazón del pan. Historia de la levadura en Colombia (2003)
Novel:
- Bajo la noche (2016)
Anthologies Edited:
- Bandada. Novísima Poesía del Ecuador (2013)
- Mujeres que hablan. Literatura Ecuatoriana Contemporánea (2015)
References
- EcuRed, “Antonio Correa Losada” – Retrieved on September 30, 2024.
- Taller de Edición, “Antonio Correa Losada” – Retrieved on September 30, 2024.
- Goodreads, “Antonio Correa Losada – List of Works” – Retrieved on September 30, 2024.
- Diario del Huila, “Escritor huilense invitado especial en el festival de poesía de Cali” – Retrieved on September 30, 2024.
- Círculo de Poesía, “Antonio Correa Losada” – Retrieved on September 30, 2024.