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Dear Language Enthusiast,
Welcome to Russian Monthly, the
Internet newsletter from Transparent Language. This is the
final issue in our three-part series looking back on some
of the most notable people, events, and accomplishments of
the 20th century. This month, we take a look at Latin
American artists, writers, and filmmakers who helped shape
our view of the 20th century.
Sincerely,
Transparent Language
www.transparent.com
In English:
Throughout history, art has inspired, soothed and called people
to action. Twentieth century art is no different. Therefore,
this month’s newsletter is a review of some of the literary,
artistic and cinematographic figures from Latin America who have
shaped culture through their expression.
Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) is one of Mexico’s most famous female
artists. She did not always aspire to be an artist, however.
Only after a serious bus accident when she was eighteen did
she begin to teach herself to paint. Now, she is internationally
respected for her self-portraits, which use brilliant colors. One of
Kahlo's earliest supporters was her husband, Diego Rivera
(1886-1957), a trained artist whose dramatic murals are said to
have revived fresco painting in Latin America. His murals are
also noted for their bold use of color, but unlike his wife's
personal portraits, his work focuses on depicting broad themes
in Mexican history.
Chile’s Pablo Neruda (1904-1973) is considered one of the world’s
greatest love poets. His given name was Neftalí Ricardo Reyes
Basoalto, but he wrote and published under the pseudonym Pablo Neruda;
some speculate that he did so to avoid criticism from his father,
who had always discouraged him from writing. He was awarded the
Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. Another Chilean poet,
Gabriela Mistral (1889-1957), was the first Latin American woman
to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, which was awarded to her in
1945. While Mistral's poems reflect her passion for human causes,
they were not the only way in which she served her community.
She also acted as an educator, cultural minister, and
diplomat to various European countries.
Jorge Luis Borges and Gabriel García Márquez are perhaps the
two writers who have brought Latin American literature into the
global limelight. Borges (1899-1986) was from Argentina and is
best known for the treatment of time in his writing. Like Frida
Kahlo, a nearly fatal accident stimulated an exceptionally
creative period in Borges' life in which he primarily wrote
stories. García Márquez (b. 1928) began his career as a journalist
in Colombia, and has since established himself as a novelist and
short story writer. His work is best known for its style, magic
realism, which combines reality and fantasy. He was
awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982.
Brazilian novelist Jorge Amado (b. 1912) began his literary career
at the age of twenty with the publication of his first novel.
Most of his novels depict the city life of the lower classes in
Bahia, and often reflect his communist ideology. Much of his
work satirizes the Brazilian government, which imprisoned him in 1935
and banned his books due to his leftist activities.
Walter Salles, most recently honored for his film about life
in Brazil, "Central do Brasil" ("Central Station"), is one
of Brazil’s most acclaimed directors. He began as a documentary
filmmaker in 1986, focusing on social issues in Brazil and the
search for an identity, both national and individual. He continues
to address the same issues in his narrative films, as seen in
"Central Station," which tells the story of an orphaned boy's
relationship with a woman who writes letters for the
illiterate in Rio’s Central Station.
Whether giving voice to silent segments of the population, taking
readers or viewers on a fantasy ride or both, Latin American writers,
artists and filmmakers have made a lasting impact on twentieth
century culture. Their contributions are vast and varied and cannot
be summarized briefly, but I hope that you've enjoyed
this cultural journey through the artistic movements of Latin
America in recent history.
Sources:
www.britannica.com
www.indiewire.com
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