Pablo Antonio Cuadra
Pablo Antonio Cuadra Cardenal, born on November 4, 1912, in Managua, Nicaragua, was a prominent poet, editor, and political activist, recognized for his significant contributions to Nicaraguan literature and culture. He was the son of a notable lawyer and diplomat, which influenced his early engagement in literary activities. Cuadra became associated with the Vanguard movement and edited its journal from 1929, showcasing his dedication to Nicaraguan identity and poetry. His first poetry collection, "Poemas nicaraguenses: 1930-1933," was published in 1934, drawing inspiration from iconic poets like Rubén Darío and the French symbols.
Throughout his life, Cuadra remained politically engaged, initially supporting the Anastasio Somoza regime before becoming an advocate for the oppressed. He founded the influential literary journal "El pez y la serpiente" and directed the Nicaraguan Academy of Language, contributing to his legacy as one of Nicaragua's most important literary figures. His works include a range of poetry, drama, and essays, with notable publications like "El jaguar y la luna" and "Obra poética completa." Cuadra's poems have been translated into English, further extending his impact beyond Nicaragua. He passed away in 2002, leaving behind a rich literary heritage that reflects his commitment to social justice and cultural identity.
Subject Terms
Pablo Antonio Cuadra
Nicaraguan poet, editor, and critic
- Born: November 4, 1912
- Birthplace: Managua, Nicaragua
- Died: January 2, 2002
- Place of death: Managua, Nicaragua
Biography
Pablo Antonio Cuadra Cardenal was born on November 4, 1912, in Managua, Nicaragua. He was the son of Carlos Cuadra Pasos, a lawyer, statesman, chancellor, and diplomat. His family had a long legacy of both political and poetic activity.
Cuadra became active in literary affairs early in his life. He was a member of the Vanguard movement and edited its journal as early as 1929. In 1934, he published his first book of poetry, Poemas nicaraguenses: 1930-1933. These poems demonstrate Cuadra’s appreciation not only for Nicaraguan identity but also for the poetry of Rubén Darío. Other poetic influences include the French poets Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine. In 1936, Cuadra received a degree in literature from the Universidad de Oriente y Mediodía in Granada, Nicaragua.
On June 26, 1945, he entered the Nicaraguan Academy of Language, founded in 1928 by his father, who was then the chancellor of Nicaragua. Cuadra was very active politically; although originally a supporter and partisan of the Anastasio Somoza regime, he broke with the dictator in the 1940s. He was always a supporter and activist on behalf of the poor and oppressed. In 1959, Cuadra published one of his most successful books, El jaguar y la luna (The Jaguar and the Moon, 1974).
In 1960, Cuadra founded the important literary journal, El pez y la serpiente, and the following year he assumed the editorship of the journal, a position he held for more than forty years. Additionally, he edited the journal Vanguardia with Octavio Rocha. In 1964, he became the director of the Nicaraguan Academy of Language; his tenure there lasted until his death in 2002. He was also the rector of the Catholic University of Nicaragua. Cuadra was the editor of the daily newspaper, La Prensa, for many years as well, but he separated himself from La Prensa when his family had a falling out with the newspaper’s owners, the Chamorro family.
In 1979, when the Sandinistas came to power in Nicaragua, Cuadra chose to leave the country for a number of years. Cuadra’s complete poetic works, Obra poética completa, were published in seven volumes between 1983 and 1989. A number of Cuadra’s poems were translated into English and published in 1988 as The Birth of the Sun: Selected Poems, 1935-1985. Cuadra died in Managua in 2002. His commitment to the welfare of his country as well as his long association with Nicaraguan letters renders him one of the most important Nicaraguan writers of the twentieth century.
Author Works
Poetry:
Poemas nicaraguenses, 1930-1933, 1934
Canto temporal, 1943
Poemas con un crepúsculo a cuestas, 1949
La tierra prometida, 1952
El jaguar y la luna, 1959 (The Jaguar and the Moon, 1974)
Zoo, 1962
Poesia: Selección, 1929-1962, 1964
Libros de horas, 1964
Noche de América para un poeta español, 1965
Poesía escogida, 1968
Cantos de Cifar, 1971
Esos rostros que asoman en la multitud, 1976
Introduzione alla terra-promesa, 1976
Siete árboles contra el atardecer, 1980
Obra poética completa, 1983-1989 (7 volumes)
The Birth of the Sun: Selected Poems, 1935-1985, 1988
Poesia selecta, 1991
La naissance du soleil, 1993
La estrella vespertina, 1996
Cesta mayesta, 1996
Drama:
La Cegua, 1950
Por los caminos van los campesinos, 1957
El coro y la máscara, 1991
Short Fiction:
Agosto, 1970
Vuelva, Güegüense, 1970
Cuentos escogidos, 1999
Nonfiction:
Hacia la cruz del sur, 1936
Promisión de México y otros ensayos, 1945
Entre la cruz y la espada, 1946
Torres de Dios, 1958
El nicaragüense, 1967
Otro rapto de Europa, 1976
Aventura literaria del mestizaje, 1987
Bibliography
Berman, Paul. "A Child of His Century." The New Republic, 24 Feb. 2002, https://newrepublic.com/article/82315/berman-poetry-cuadro-nicarauga-sandinista. Accessed 30 June 2017. Discusses Cuadra's influence over Nicaraguan politics and culture, including his opposition to both the right-wing Somoza dictatorship and the Communist Sandinista regime that followed.
Cuadra, Pablo Antonio. "Responsibilities of the Church in Central America." Crisis Magazine, 1 Sept. 1986, http://www.crisismagazine.com/1986/responsibilities-of-the-church-in-central-america-pablo-antonio-cuadra. Accessed 30 June 2017. An article by Cuadra that discusses the condition of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua under the Sandinistas, and how left-wing "liberation theology" compromises the true message of the church.
Kinzer, Stephen. "Pablo Antonio Cuadra, 89, Nicaraguan Poet." The New York Times, 13 Jan. 2002, http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/13/nyregion/pablo-antonio-cuadra-89-nicaraguan-poet.html. Accessed 30 June 2017. Obituary with a brief survey of his life and work.
Woo, Elaine. "Pablo Antonio Cuadra, 89; Nicaraguan Literary Activist." Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2002, http://articles.latimes.com/2002/jan/24/local/me-cuadra24. Accessed 30 June 2017. Obituary with a brief survey of his life and work.