Blanca Varela
Blanca Varela was a prominent Peruvian poet, born on August 10, 1926, in Lima, Peru. Coming from a family with a rich cultural background, her father was a journalist and her mother a musical composer. Although she started her studies in literature and education at the University of San Marcos, she did not complete her degree. Varela's literary journey was profoundly influenced by her time in Paris, where she interacted with notable figures such as Octavio Paz, Simone de Beauvoir, and Jean-Paul Sartre. Her first poetry collection, "Ese puerto existe," was published in 1959, with an introduction by Paz, and she gained recognition as part of the Generation of 1950. Throughout her career, Varela published several collections, including her acclaimed "Canto villano" in 1978, which showcases her evolution from Surrealist influences to a more confessional style. Her poetry is characterized by a deep exploration of existential themes and has received significant critical praise despite her relatively limited number of works. Varela's contributions to literature continue to resonate, marking her as a vital figure in contemporary poetry.
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Blanca Varela
Poet
- Born: August 10, 1926
- Birthplace: Lima, Peru
- Died: March 12, 2009
Biography
Blanca Varela was born August 10, 1926, in Lima, Peru. Her father, Alberto Orbegozo, was a journalist. Her mother, Esmeralda González, was a musical composer. Although she began attending the University of San Marcas in 1943, studying literature and education, she did not receive a degree. In 1949, she married Szyszlo Varela; they had two sons: Lorenzo, who died in a plane crash, and Vincente. The couple later divorced.
Immediately after their marriage, Varela and her husband relocated to Paris, where she met the Mexican writer Octavio Paz. While in Paris, she also became associated with the feminist intellectual Simone de Beauvoir and the existential philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre. In 1954, Varela moved to Florence for two years, then spent eight months in Rome. In 1957, the couple relocated to the United States, living in Washington, D.C., where Varela worked as a translator and a freelance journalist.
Associated with the Generation of 1950, her poetry appeared in Antología general de la poesía (general anthology of poetry) in 1957. Her first collection of poetry, Ese puerto existe (that port exists), was published in 1959. Paz wrote the collection’s introduction. Varela returned to Peru in 1961. Her second collection of poetry, Luz de día (daylight), published in 1963, was dedicated to Paz. Her best-known collection, Canto villano, was published in 1978.
Despite her relatively small number of publications, the poetry of Blanca Varela received high critical acclaim. Introduced to the Surrealists while in college, her early poetry clearly shows their influence. Her later poetry leans toward the confessional. Her verse is noted for its sad acceptance of the existential dilemmas of human life.