Wladimir Alfredo Chávez Vaca (Quito, 1977) is an Ecuadorian novelist, short story writer, and academic. He has lived in Norway for over two decades and currently serves as an associate professor of Spanish and Latin American literature at Østfold University College. Chávez’s literary work, which often explores themes of migration, identity, and exile, has garnered significant recognition. His short story collection En el corazón del silencio [In the Heart of Silence] won the Biennial Pichincha Prize in 2014, and his novel El olor de las flores quemadas [The Smell of Burning Flowers] was awarded the Miguel Riofrío National Literary Award in 2018. Some of his works have been translated into English and Italian.
Early Life and Education
Wladimir Alfredo Chávez Vaca was born in 1977 in Quito, Ecuador. He completed his early education in his home country at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (PUCE), where he earned a degree in Communication and Literature and a Certificate in Inter-American Studies. His academic career soon took him beyond Ecuador’s borders, as he pursued further studies at several prestigious institutions in Europe and the United States. He attended the University of Bergen in Norway, the University of Aarhus in Denmark, the University of Newcastle in the UK, and New York University in the United States. Chávez earned his Master’s degree in Creative Literature from New York University, followed by a Ph.D. in Latin American Studies, with a focus on literature, from the University of Bergen. His doctoral research was particularly focused on the themes of literary plagiarism and intertextuality, areas in which he applied the theoretical framework of Gérard Genette’s transtextuality to develop a methodology for comparing texts, specifically those written in Spanish.
Literary Career
Wladimir Chávez Vaca’s literary career is marked by his achievements as both a novelist and a short story writer. His works often delve into themes of migration, identity, exile, and socio-political conflict, drawing from his personal experiences as an Ecuadorian living in Norway. In 2014, he published his short story collection En el corazón del silencio [In the Heart of Silence], which was well-received and won the Biennial Premio Pichincha in Ecuador. This recognition established Chávez as a significant voice in contemporary Ecuadorian literature. In 2018, his novel El olor de las flores quemadas [The Smell of Burning Flowers] won the Miguel Riofrío National Literary Award, further cementing his place in the Ecuadorian literary landscape.
Chávez’s fiction has been translated into English and Italian, reflecting the broader international reach of his work. His scholarly interests—particularly his research on plagiarism, intertextuality, and migration—deeply inform his creative writing. His work not only resonates within Ecuador but also engages with global themes, offering a critical view of Latin American migration and identity through literature.
Personal Life
Chávez has resided in Norway for over two decades, where he has balanced his roles as both a writer and an academic. His personal experiences of migration and living in a foreign country deeply influence his literary themes, particularly his focus on exile, cultural displacement, and the search for identity. His scholarly and creative work is intertwined, reflecting his unique position as an Ecuadorian intellectual living abroad and engaging with global literary traditions. Despite living far from his homeland, his connection to Ecuadorian culture and literature remains strong, as reflected in his continued scholarly work on Ecuadorian narratives and socio-cultural dynamics.
Academic Career
In addition to his work as a novelist, Wladimir Chávez Vaca is an accomplished academic. He currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Languages, Literature, and Culture at Østfold University College in Norway. His teaching primarily focuses on Spanish and Latin American literature, and he is actively involved in supervising Master’s theses that explore diverse themes, including cultural narratives, language learning, and the intersection of technology and education. His research is particularly focused on literary plagiarism and intertextuality, areas in which he has made significant contributions to the field. Chávez’s work extends beyond literature to address broader cultural and social issues, including migration, exile, and identity.
One of his current academic projects is Identity, Migration, and Exile: Looking for a Promised Land in Latin American and Spanish Literature, which investigates the relationship between migration, poverty, and political conflict in Latin America. This project has resulted in several academic publications, including his book Finisterre: En el último lugar del mundo. Migraciones en la cultura y literatura hispanoamericanas in 2017, and its follow-up Finisterre II: Revisiting the Last Place on Earth in 2024.
Chávez has also published extensively in scholarly journals, with articles appearing in prestigious publications such as Iberoromania, Dialogía, and Variaciones Borges. His work has expanded the discourse on plagiarism and intertextuality within the context of Latin American literature, providing a framework for future studies on these themes.
Recognitions and Accolades
Throughout his career, Chávez has received significant recognition for his literary achievements. In 2014, his collection of short stories En el corazón del silencio won the Biennial Premio Pichincha, a prestigious Ecuadorian literary award. This recognition highlighted his talent as a short story writer and established his reputation in the Ecuadorian literary world. In 2018, his novel El olor de las flores quemadas earned him the Miguel Riofrío National Literary Award, one of the most important literary prizes in Ecuador, further solidifying his status as a leading figure in Ecuadorian literature.
Legacy
Wladimir Chávez Vaca’s contributions to literature and academia position him as a vital figure in contemporary Ecuadorian and Latin American literary circles. His exploration of complex themes such as identity, migration, and exile through both his fiction and academic work has had a significant impact on the way these issues are understood within Latin American literature. Chávez’s ability to bridge the gap between creative writing and scholarly research gives his work a unique depth, making him a prominent voice in both fields.
Videos
Interview with Wladimir Chávez
Interview
Selected Works
Fiction:
- En el corazón del silencio – 2015 (Short story collection)
- ¡Dios mío, ¡qué guapo es el asesino de papá! / My God, How Handsome is My Father’s Killer! – 2018 (Bilingual edition, translated by Ana I. Simón Alegre and Kimberly Moreira)
- Postales para ciegos – 2018 (Short story collection)
- El olor de las flores quemadas – 2019 (Novel)
Anthologies:
- TV guía de catástrofes: Cuentos para la cuarentena – 2020 (Contributing author)
Scholarly Books:
- Finisterre: En el último lugar del mundo. Migraciones en la cultura y literatura hispanoamericanas – 2017 (Academic book, co-edited)
- Cuando los pacientes se vuelven escritores. Una aproximación a las narrativas de la enfermedad en Ecuador – 2020 (Scholarly book)
- Finisterre II: Revisiting the Last Place on Earth. Migrations in Spanish and Latin American Culture and Literature – 2024 (Academic book, co-edited)
Name variation
- Wladimir Alfredo Chávez Vaca
- Wladimir Chávez Vaca
- Wladimir Chávez