Rogelio Sinán
Rogelio Sinán, born Bernardo Domínguez Alba on the island of Taboga, is a notable Panamanian writer celebrated for his contributions to avant-garde literature. He is recognized primarily for his innovative poetry, impactful short stories, and thought-provoking novels. Sinán's literary journey began after winning a short story competition in school, which inspired him to pursue writing. His studies in Chile, where he interacted with influential figures like Pablo Neruda and Gabriela Mistral, set the stage for his artistic development.
Sinán's first poetry collection, "Onda" (1929), introduced avant-garde techniques and themes of love, nature, and Panamanian folk language, marking a significant shift in Panamanian literary expression. Notable prose works include "Plenilunio" (1947) and "La isla magica" (1977), the latter of which is often regarded as his masterpiece and showcases elements of Magical Realism. His writing is characterized by surrealism, dream sequences, and philosophical undertones, earning him multiple prestigious awards, including the Ricardo Miro National Literature Prize. Sinán's prolific body of work has solidified his reputation as one of Panama's most distinguished literary figures.
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Rogelio Sinán
- Born: April 25, 1902
- Birthplace: Isla de Taboga, Panama
- Died: 1994
Biography
Credited with bringing the avant-garde movement to Panama, Rogelio Sinán was born Bernardo Domínguez Alba on the island of Taboga and is known as a consummate master of innovative poetry, award-winning short stories, and intellectually challenging novels. Although innovative in poetry, outside of Panama, Sinán is known primarily for his prose works: short stories and novels—notably “The Red Beret” and La isla magica (1977; the magic island). Sinán graduated from the Instituto Nacional de Panama in 1924; at school, he received first place for a short story which reputably inspired his career as a writer. Later that year, he began studies at the Instituto Pedagogico de Chile where he met and was advised by such literary figures as Pablo Neruda and Gabriela Mistral who recommended that he go to Italy.
At the University of Rome, Sinán met leading authors whose influence directly led to his creation of his first volume of poems, Onda (1929), marking the first time he employed his pseudonym. This collection of forty-five short poems utilizes new avant-garde forms, including free verse, no capitalization, bizarre images, and hints of sensuality. As counterpoint to the prevailing Modernismo, the work was a turning point in the development of Panamanian verse. Key aspects of the poems are the topics of love and nature, the incorporation of Panamanian folk language, and a sense of the rhythmic drumbeats of the tropics.
After Italy, Sinán returned to Panama, holding the position of Spanish teacher at the National Institute of Panama. This period marked the genesis of his short-story writing, but in 1938 he was appointed as consul to Calcutta, India. His return to Panama in 1939 saw the beginning of a creative flurry and publication of prose works. Sinán also worked as director of Fine Arts and Publications at Ministry of Education and professor at the National Conservatory of Music/Dramatic Arts at the University of Panama.
Sinán’s first novel, Plenilunio (1947; full moon), won him accolades and was subsequently voted best Latin American novel of the year (PEN Club of Santiago). From 1953 to 1960, Sinán resided in Mexico and served some years as secretary of the Panamanian embassy. There he produced his collections of short stories (“The Red Beret” won first prize in the InterAmerican Short Story Contest). In 1977, La isla magica appeared—believed by some to be Sinán’s masterwork. Both Plenilunio and La isla magica contain hallmark Sinán elements: surrealism, dream sequences, eroticism, and liberalities with time frames; however, the latter work is structurally and thematically more complex, partaking of the technique of Magical Realism—an ingredient of many Latin American works—which produces a fusion of apparent reality and metaphysical or supernatural events. The “magic island” of the novel is a time-enclosed enclave that suffers intrusions from the outside world but nevertheless maintains its anachronistic status. The intrusions, along with the multiple perspectives of the work, allow for social comment and intense philosophical investigation.
Sinán’s writing earned him numerous awards, including the Ricardo Miro National Literature Prize, Panama’s most prestigious award. A prolific writer, constantly creative, and socially conscious, Sinán has been deemed “Panama’s outstanding man of letters.”