Poets - Ecuadorian Literature

Juan Secaira Velástegui

Juan Secaira Velástegui (Quito, Ecuador, 1971) is a poet, essayist, and visual artist whose work delves into themes of suffering, resilience, and personal transformation. He has published several critically acclaimed poetry collections, including Construcción del vacío (2009; “Construction of the Void”) and No es dicha (2012; “It Is Not Happiness”), which won the Jorge Carrera Andrade National Poetry Prize. In recent years, Secaira has adapted his creative process in response to his diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), incorporating visual art into his body of work. His 2023 collection Eclipsa los arribos (“Eclipses the Arrivals”) earned him the Paralelo Cero Poetry Prize, further cementing his legacy as one of Ecuador’s most poignant contemporary voices.

Alexis Naranjo

Alexis Naranjo Banda (Quito, 1947) is an Ecuadorian poet, university professor, art critic, and translator. He earned a Master’s degree in Linguistics from the University of Paris VIII and has published several notable poetry collections, including Profanaciones (1988; “Profanations”) and La piel del tiempo (1998; “The Skin of Time”), which won the Jorge Carrera Andrade National Prize. His work is known for its philosophical depth and rich language, influenced by both Latin American and Ecuadorian literary traditions. Naranjo’s poetry often explores themes of existence, spirituality, and the human condition.

César Molina Martínez

César Molina Martínez (Cañar, 1965) is an Ecuadorian poet and public servant currently residing in Chicago. He holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Cuenca and has served in various public roles, including as a councilman for the Municipality of Cuenca. His poetry, often exploring themes of exile, migration, and identity, has earned significant recognition, including the Premio Nacional de Poesía Jorge Carrera Andrade for Catholic Splendor (2000) and the Premio Nacional de Poesía César Dávila Andrade for Código de extranjería (2007). Molina Martínez’s work, known for its narrative intensity and biblical references, reflects his experiences living between Ecuador and the United States.

David Acosta Herrera

David Acosta Herrera (Quito, Ecuador, November 8, 1986) is an Ecuadorian poet, writer, and cultural activist. Founder of the collective eLeLLo (Anarquía, Arte y Ciencia), Acosta promotes artistic engagement through workshops, events, and community projects. His first poetry collection, Termineternal, published by El Ángel, explores surrealism and symbolism in a poetic journey from life to death. He won first prize in the Certamen de Invierno – Poesía libre in Córdoba, Argentina, in 2018 for his poem Aztra. His latest work, El clamor de una nuez que se parte en silencio, was published in 2023.

Jacinto Santos Verduga

Jacinto Santos Verduga (Bahía de Caráquez, September 16, 1944 – Guayaquil, December 2, 1967) was an Ecuadorian poet known for his emotionally charged and existentially reflective works. Despite his short life, Chintolo, as he was affectionately called, published three notable poetry collections: Testimonio (1965), La Llaga Insomne (1967), and Con Los Días Contados (1967). His poetry, marked by themes of nostalgia, sorrow, and a deep contemplation of life and death, continues to be celebrated posthumously, with unpublished poems discovered decades after his death contributing to his enduring literary legacy.

Socorro Freire Enríquez

Socorro Freire Enríquez (Riobamba, October 27, 1953) is an Ecuadorian writer, poet, and educator known for her contributions to literature and education. She holds advanced degrees in pedagogy and educational management, and has served as a professor and literacy advocate at the Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo. A recipient of numerous literary awards, including the Benjamín Carrión Prize, she has published poetry, essays, and short stories in works such as “Voces Azules a Vuelo de Pájaro”. She is also the founder of the Association of Contemporary Writers of Ecuador and an active member of international literary organizations.

Telmo N. Vaca

Telmo N. Vaca del Pozo (San José de Chimbo, Ecuador, 1906 – Guayaquil, Ecuador, 1950) was a prominent Ecuadorian poet, journalist, and lawyer known for his revolutionary spirit and lyrical poetry. He gained national recognition in the 1920s with works like Labios románticos (1927) and Voz de bronce y otras voces (1928), which showcased his poetic originality and social consciousness. Vaca was also active in Ecuador’s political and intellectual spheres, founding the Semanario La Espiga and contributing to numerous publications. His legacy endures through his literary contributions and his advocacy for justice and ethical journalism.

Elisa C. Mariño de Carvajal

Elisa C. Mariño de Carvajal (Guaranda, March 30, 1894 – June 29, 1977) was an Ecuadorian poet, journalist, and cultural advocate. She authored several poetry collections, including Procelarias, Campanas de Bronce, and Asfodelos, and wrote the lyrics to the Himno de Guaranda. A prominent figure in Ecuadorian literary circles, she founded the Centro de Periodismo and was a member of the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana. Her work contributed significantly to the cultural life of her hometown and the country, cementing her legacy as a leading intellectual of her time.

José Félix Silva

José Félix Silva (Guaranda, 1929 – unknown) was an Ecuadorian poet, journalist, and professor known for his politically charged poetry and commitment to left-wing revolutionary ideals. A significant figure in Ecuador’s intellectual and literary scene, he taught at the Central University of Ecuador and led the School of Journalism. Silva published notable works such as Canto a la Tierra desolada and El fuego delirante, which reflected his concerns about social justice and the human condition. He was also a mentor to younger poets in the Tzántzico Group, influencing Ecuador’s countercultural movements.

Carlos Bazante

Carlos Bazante Morejón (La Asunción, Bolívar, 1914 – date unknown) was an Ecuadorian poet, educator, and writer. He obtained his law degree in Quito and later taught at the “Sebastián de Benalcázar” high school and the University of Esmeraldas. Bazante’s literary work focused on poetry, publishing several collections, including Pecho Agreste (1953) and Yo era un Poeta Provinciano (1983). His writings, deeply rooted in the culture and social issues of Ecuador, appeared in notable publications such as Revista Altiplano and Letras del Ecuador. He is remembered for his contributions to Ecuadorian literature and education.

Roberto Alfredo Arregui Chauvín

Roberto Alfredo Arregui Chauvín (Guaranda, October 22, 1915 – date unknown) was an Ecuadorian educator, poet, and lawyer. He served as rector and professor of Literature and Philosophy at the Pedro Carbo School in Guaranda for thirty years and was a founding member of the Bolívar chapter of the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana. His poetry, mainly published in magazines, earned him several local awards, including the Trébol de Oro y Plata at the Riobamba Floral Games. Arregui also published a legal treatise, De las presunciones, which won the prestigious “Luis Felipe Borja” award, highlighting his contributions to both literature and law.

Luis E. Falconí Hidalgo

Luis E. Falconí Hidalgo (Guaranda, July 14, 1910 – September 1, 1989) was an Ecuadorian writer and poet known for his contributions to indigenista literature and his dedication to promoting culture in Bolívar Province. Educated in Guaranda and Quito, Falconí published novels such as Así Nació el Día (1958), a work rooted in Ecuadorian landscapes and indigenous themes, and La Casa Encantada (1981), which explores local legends. He also wrote children’s poetry, winning national recognition in 1980. His work was supported by institutions like the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana, cementing his legacy in Ecuadorian literature.

Piedad Larrea Borja

Piedad Larrea Borja (Quito, December 21, 1912 – Quito, June 2001) was an Ecuadorian writer, poet, philologist, and professor. As the first woman to join the Academia Ecuatoriana de la Lengua (Ecuadorian Academy of Language), where she served as secretary for many years, she played a significant role in Ecuadorian intellectual life. She earned a doctorate in Hispanic Philology from the University of Salamanca and later taught at the Universidad Central del Ecuador. Her literary works, which include essays, poetry, and linguistic studies, address themes of Ecuadorian identity, language, and social issues. In 1994, she was awarded the prestigious “Manuela Espejo” Prize by the Municipality of Quito, further cementing her legacy as a pioneering figure in Ecuadorian culture and education.

Antonio Montalvo Viteri

Antonio Montalvo Viteri (Ambato, March 24, 1901 – Quito, July 9, 1953) was an Ecuadorian poet, literary critic, and cultural figure who played a key role in shaping early 20th-century Ecuadorian literature. He co-founded the influential newspaper El Espectador in 1921, published his first poetry collection Alba de Ensueño in 1922, and later helped establish the literary magazine El Cosmopolita in 1924. A member of several intellectual societies, he also co-founded the Grupo América in 1931. His 1947 biography of Eugenio Espejo is regarded as one of the best on the subject, cementing his reputation as both a poet and a biographer.

Kevin J. Enríquez Urresta

Kevin J. Enríquez Urresta (Quito, Ecuador, 2001) is an emerging Ecuadorian poet and architecture student who has gained recognition for his introspective and emotionally resonant poetry. While originally connected to various branches of the arts, he chose to dedicate himself to poetry around five years ago, using it as a means of self-expression and exploration. His work often delves into themes of identity, emotional connection, and fleeting moments of consciousness, as showcased in his debut book Destellos de conciencia, published as part of Editorial El Ángel’s “Ópera prima” collection.