Writers from Loja - Ecuadorian Literature

Max Puertas Alarcón

Max Puertas Alarcón (Loja, Ecuador, December 17, 1935 – Machala, Ecuador, July 22, 2016) was an Ecuadorian lawyer, judge, writer, and cultural figure. Known for his integrity in the legal field, he held various roles, including judge, where he was celebrated for his ethical standards. He was also an active contributor to Ecuadorian literature, authoring works such as Historia del pequeño Miguel Ángel (2002), an autobiographical work depicting early 20th-century life in Loja and Portovelo.

Martha Rodríguez Albán

Martha Rodríguez Albán (Loja, 1959) is an Ecuadorian fiction writer, literary scholar, and educator. She holds a Doctorate in Medicine and Surgery from the Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil and a Master’s in Cultural Studies from the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar. As a fiction writer, she is known for her short story collections Nada más el futuro (1996), which won the Joaquín Gallegos Lara National Award, and Pero es después, bajo el sol (2001). In the field of literary criticism, she authored Narradores ecuatorianos de los 50: poéticas para la lectura de modernidades periféricas (2009) and Crítica literaria y sociedad en el Ecuador (1930-2000) (2022). She currently teaches at the Universidad Central del Ecuador in Quito.

Manuel Agustín Aguirre

Manuel Agustín Aguirre Ríos (Loja, July 12, 1903 – Quito, September 15, 1992) was an Ecuadorian educator, jurist, poet, and political leader. A prominent Marxist theorist, Aguirre was a founding member of the Ecuadorian Socialist Party and later established the Revolutionary Socialist Party. His political career included serving as Vice President of the Constituent Assembly in 1945 and advocating for socialist reforms. As an academic, he became the first dean of the Faculty of Economics at the Central University of Ecuador and led the Second University Reform. Aguirre also authored several important works on Marxism and Latin American politics.

Jorge Ismael Gandú

Jorge Ismael Gandú, pseudonym of José Miguel Granda Granda (Celica, Loja Province of Ecuador, 1904 – Medellin, Colombia, Unknown) was an Ecuadorian poet and songwriter, renowned primarily for his significant contributions to the pasillo genre, a type of Latin American music. While his literary endeavors culminated in the publication of the poetry collection “Hontanar” in 1937, a work dedicated to his mother, wife, and homeland, it was his role as a lyricist for numerous pasillo songs that truly cemented his fame. Gandú’s ability to weave emotional depth into his lyrics resonated with composers and audiences alike, leading to collaborations with notable musicians such as Nicasio Safadi, who set Gandú’s poem “De corazón a corazón” to music.

Susana Álvarez

Susana Álvarez, born Martha Susana Álvarez Galarza (Ambato, 1949) is an Ecuadorian writer, poet, educator, and cultural activist. Throughout her career, she has made significant contributions to literature, particularly in the field of poetry and cultural preservation. Some of her notable poetry books include “Memorial de los días,” “Celosía del Alba,” and “Fiorella de Agua.” In addition to poetry, she has written essays such as “Ellos son y Están aquí…. Encuentros” and “Mujeres bajo el cielo de Loja. La investidura de La Mujer del Siglo XXI.” Álvarez’ dedication to preserving Ecuadorian cultural heritage is evident in her books “Antología de la leyenda ecuatoriana” and “Loja y sus leyendas,” which delve into the country’s rich folklore and legends. Recognized for her literary achievements, she has received prestigious awards, including the “Juan León Mera” decoration and the Illustrious Ecuadorian Woman Award in 2015. Recently, she received the prestigious “Matilde Hidalgo Navarro” decoration at the 2023 Women’s Art Encounter. This recognition, bestowed by the House of Ecuadorian Culture in Loja, acknowledges her outstanding cultural contributions in both Loja and Ecuador.

Paulina Jaramillo Valdivieso

Paulina Jaramillo Valdivieso (Loja, 1963) is an Ecuadorian poet, writer, and children’s literature author. She has authored six books, including “Mitos que madrugan al sol” and “Estatura de tiempo y convergencia,” which reflect both her personal experiences and Andean heritage. Her father, the poet Alfredo Jaramillo Andrade, was a significant influence in her life. Her work in literature has earned her several accolades, including recognition as a distinguished woman in literature from the Ecuadorian Committee for Cooperation with the Inter-American Commission of Women in 2009. Additionally, she has served as the coordinator of the Alfredo Mora Reyes Cultural Center for the past 15 years and hosts a cultural radio program called “Escenario.”

Alfredo Jaramillo Andrade

Alfredo Jaramillo Andrade (May 19, 1934) is an Ecuadorian poet, writer, playwright, and teacher. He has published several books, including “Los hijos de la luz,” “Canciones para la ciudad,” “Mujeres, sueños y muerte,” and “El sombrero del tiempo,” exploring themes of love, death, and nature. Jaramillo Andrade has been a member of various organizations, including the Literature Section of the House of Ecuadorian Culture in Loja, where he held the position of President from 1977 to 1986. He oversaw the direction of several of its magazines. He also founded “El Agro,” a newspaper of the School of Agricultural Sciences at the National University of Loja. He has received numerous awards, including the Loja National Poetry Prize in 1956 and the National Culture Award in 2004.

Carlos Carrión

Carlos Alfonso Carrión Figueroa (Malacatos, Loja, January 25, 1944) is an Ecuadorian novelist and short story writer. He has won several prestigious literary awards, including the José de la Cuadra Award for his 1982 short story collection “El más hermoso animal nocturno” [The Most Beautiful Nocturnal Animal], the Joaquín Gallegos Lara Award twice, first for his 1995 short story book “El corazón es un animal en celo” [The Heart is an Animal in Heat] and later for his 2005 novel “¿Quién me ayuda a matar a mi mujer?” [Who’ll Help Me Kill My Wife?], which also earned him the “Lira y la Pluma” Award. Additionally, his work has been featured in various anthologies. In 2013, he won the Miguel Riofrío Award for his novel “La mantis religiosa” [The Praying Mantis]. Recently, in 2022, Carrión was honored with the Eugenio Espejo National Prize, the highest literary recognition in Ecuador.

Matilde Hidalgo de Prócel

Matilde Hidalgo de Prócel (Loja, September 29, 1889 – Guayaquil, February 20, 1974) was an Ecuadorian physician, poet, and activist who was a pioneer for women’s rights in Ecuador and Latin America, becoming the first woman to vote in the country and the continent in 1924. As a doctor, she also became the first woman to earn a Doctorate in Medicine in Ecuador, using her platform to fight for women’s rights and improve healthcare for women and children. She was an active member of feminist organizations and expressed her views through poetry. Her legacy as one of the most important women in Ecuadorian history endures, inspiring future generations to fight for gender equality. Matilde Hidalgo was honored by Google on November 21, 2019, with a Google Doodle commemorating what would have been her 130th birthday.

Gustavo Abad Ordoñez

Gustavo Abad Ordoñez (Loja, 1968) is an Ecuadorian journalist, essayist, editor, and university professor. His articles have been published in numerous newspapers, including El Comercio, HOY, El Universo and El Telégrafo. His scholarly and journalistic books include: “El monstruo es el otro: La narrativa social del miedo en Quito” (2005), “Medios y movilidad humana. Pautas para informar sobre hechos migratorios” (2009), “El club de la pelea: Gobierno y medios, un entramado de fuerzas y debilidades” (2011), “Ecuavoley: La ovación voluntaria” (2011). He teaches at the Faculty of Social Communication (FACSO) at the Central University of Ecuador. He worked as an editor for the magazines Chasqui and Textos y contextos. In 2022 his book “Crónica de multitudes. La dimensión carnal de la escritura” (2021) was bestowed the “Isabel Tobar Guarderas” Award by the Municipality of Quito.

Kelver Ax

Kelver Ax, pseudonym of Kleber Ajila Vacacela (Loja, 1985 – January 18, 2016) was an Ecuadorian poet and plastic artist. His books include: “CU4D3RN0 D3 4R3N4” (2012), Pop-Up (2014), and posthumously “Egagrópilas” (2016), which won the first Alejandro Carrión National Poetry Contest. His work has appeared in national and international magazines as well as anthologies. In 2019, his collected works appeared in a book, “Su sombra como un mapa: obra reunida de Kelver Ax.” He was invited to several fairs and festivals such as FIL QUITO (Quito, 2012), Latino Poets (New York, 2015), and VI Poetry Festival (Lima, 2015). He was also an award-winning plastic artist whose work has been featured in galleries and cultural centers. He was and continues to be one of the most distinctive, powerful, and original artists of his country and of his time. He died in 1985 at the age of 30.

Bernardita Maldonado

Bernardita Maldonado (Loja, 1969) is an Ecuadorian poet and writer. She has resided in Spain for over 25 years. She is the author of several poetry collections, including “Biografía de los pájaros” (2007) and “Con todos los soles lejanos” (2015). She has compiled the poetry of Héctor Manuel Carrión and written an introduction to it. Her native city of Loja honored her as “Woman of Letters 2015.” She is a member of the Ecuadorian House of Culture in Loja.

Andrea Rojas Vasquez

Andrea Rojas Vasquez (Loja, November 26, 1993) is an Ecuadorian poet. Her first poetry collection, “Matar a un conejo” [To Kill a Rabbit], was published in 2020. Her second book, “Llévame a casa, por favor” [Take Me Home, Please], was published in 2021. Her poetry entry, “Llámame Ismael” [Call Me Ishmael], was awarded the 2021 best poetry prize at the Ileana Espinel Cedeño International Poetry Festival held in Guayaquil.

Pío Jaramillo Alvarado

Pío Jaramillo Alvarado (Loja, May 17, 1884 – July 24, 1968) was an Ecuadorian writer, liberal lawyer, politician, law professor and sociologist. His best-known book El indio ecuatoriano (1922; The Ecuadorian Indian), established him as one of Ecuador’s leading intellectuals and a key participant of the indigenista movement. Born to a white mestizo family, he critiqued indigenous realities from a non-indigenous perspective, which is typical of early twentieth century indigenistas. In 1940 he led the Ecuadorian delegation to the Pátzcuaro Congress in Mexico that founded the Interamerican Indigenist Institute (III). Three years later he helped found the Ecuadorian Indigenist Institute (IIE), for which he subsequently served as director. He contributed essays to newspapers throughout the country, most significantly under the pseudonym Petronio in the liberal newspaper El Día.