David Viñas
Encyclopedia
David Viñas was an Argentine
dramatist, critic, and novelist.
, and enrolled in the University of Buenos Aires
, becoming head of the student organization Federación Universitaria de Buenos Aires. He published his first novel in 1955, and first came to wide attention when he won the Gerchunoff
Prize for his novel Un Dios Cotidiano (1957). He received the Premio Nacional for Jauna (1971). The following year, his play Lisandro
won the National Prize for Theater.
Viñas' work centers on Argentine history, and generally does not partake of the magical realism favored by his contemporaries. He is deeply concerned with Argentina's legacy of authoritarianism
and the problems posed by the nature and historical dominance of the Argentine military. Two of his children disappeared during the 1976-83 military regime
, and he spent that era in exile, returning to Argentina in 1984.
He was an early mentor of critic and essayist Beatriz Sarlo
, although he adhered to a more traditional leftist position than did Sarlo in later years. Following the election of left-wing Peronist Néstor Kirchner
in 2003, he became a vocal supporter of his, and in 2008 co-founded Carta Abierta ("Open Letter") with journalist Horacio Verbitsky
, an informal think tank
of left-wing public figures in literature, journalism and academia who regularly publish opinion columns in defense of Kirchnerism
and progressive
social policy, generally.
Viñas directed the Institute of Argentine Literature at his alma mater.
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
dramatist, critic, and novelist.
Life and career
Viñas grew up in Buenos AiresBuenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, and enrolled in the University of Buenos Aires
University of Buenos Aires
The University of Buenos Aires is the largest university in Argentina and the largest university by enrollment in Latin America. Founded on August 12, 1821 in the city of Buenos Aires, it consists of 13 faculties, 6 hospitals, 10 museums and is linked to 4 high schools: Colegio Nacional de Buenos...
, becoming head of the student organization Federación Universitaria de Buenos Aires. He published his first novel in 1955, and first came to wide attention when he won the Gerchunoff
Alberto Gerchunoff
Alberto Gerchunoff , was an Argentine writer born in the Russian Empire, in the city of Proskuriv, now Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine. His family emigrated in 1889 to the agricultural colony of Moises Ville. His father, Rab Gershon ben Abraham Gerchunoff was murdered by a gaucho on February 12, 1891...
Prize for his novel Un Dios Cotidiano (1957). He received the Premio Nacional for Jauna (1971). The following year, his play Lisandro
Lisandro de la Torre
Lisandro de la Torre was an Argentine politician, born in Rosario, province of Santa Fe.De la Torre became a lawyer in 1890. His thesis about municipalities and communes, as well as other works of his, gave rise to the idea of municipal autonomy in Argentina, which was included in the Argentine...
won the National Prize for Theater.
Viñas' work centers on Argentine history, and generally does not partake of the magical realism favored by his contemporaries. He is deeply concerned with Argentina's legacy of authoritarianism
Authoritarianism
Authoritarianism is a form of social organization characterized by submission to authority. It is usually opposed to individualism and democracy...
and the problems posed by the nature and historical dominance of the Argentine military. Two of his children disappeared during the 1976-83 military regime
National Reorganization Process
The National Reorganization Process was the name used by its leaders for the military government that ruled Argentina from 1976 to 1983. In Argentina it is often known simply as la última junta militar or la última dictadura , because several of them existed throughout its history.The Argentine...
, and he spent that era in exile, returning to Argentina in 1984.
He was an early mentor of critic and essayist Beatriz Sarlo
Beatriz Sarlo
Beatriz Sarlo is an Argentine literary and cultural critic. She was also founding editor of the cultural journal Punto de Vista ....
, although he adhered to a more traditional leftist position than did Sarlo in later years. Following the election of left-wing Peronist Néstor Kirchner
Néstor Kirchner
Néstor Carlos Kirchner was an Argentine politician who served as the 54th President of Argentina from 25 May 2003 until 10 December 2007. Previously, he was Governor of Santa Cruz Province since 10 December 1991. He briefly served as Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations ...
in 2003, he became a vocal supporter of his, and in 2008 co-founded Carta Abierta ("Open Letter") with journalist Horacio Verbitsky
Horacio Verbitsky
Horacio Verbitsky is a prominent Argentine investigative journalist and author. He writes for the left-leaning Argentine newspaper Página/12 and heads up the Center for Legal and Social Studies , an Argentine human-rights organization.He is also a member of the Directive Board of Human Rights...
, an informal think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
of left-wing public figures in literature, journalism and academia who regularly publish opinion columns in defense of Kirchnerism
Kirchnerism
Kirchnerism is a term used to refer to the political philosophy and supporters of Néstor Kirchner, president of Argentina from 2003 to 2007, and of his wife Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, President from 2007...
and progressive
Progressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
social policy, generally.
Viñas directed the Institute of Argentine Literature at his alma mater.
Further reading
- Argentina's Jewish Short Story Writers, Rita M. Gardiol, 1986.