November 2, 1923, marked the birth of Ida Vitale in Montevideo, Uruguay, a writer who would eventually stand as the sole remaining member of the Generation of 45. Her career spans decades of poetry, literary criticism, and translation, navigating the complexities of political exile while maintaining a presence in international literary circles through the twenty-first century.
The Generation of 45
Vitale became a central figure in the Uruguayan intellectual movement known as the Generation of 45. This cohort included notable writers and thinkers such as Juan Carlos Onetti, Mario Benedetti, Idea Vilariño, and Ángel Rama, the latter of whom became her second husband. The group exerted significant influence on Uruguayan cultural life, fostering a collaborative environment for literature and academic discourse during a transformative period in the country's history.
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The political instability in Uruguay forced a departure for many intellectuals in 1973. Vitale sought political asylum in Mexico City, where she continued her writing and editorial pursuits. She later established a residence in Austin, Texas. Her time abroad facilitated extensive work in translation from French and Italian, alongside the publication of numerous poetry collections and essays. She eventually returned to Montevideo in 2016.
Literary Achievement and Recognition
Vitale's bibliography includes works such as Palabra dada (1953), Cada uno en su noche (1960), and Fieles (1982). Her contributions to letters earned her the Miguel de Cervantes Prize in 2018 and the Alfonso Reyes International Prize in 2014. Additional honors include the Reina Sofía Award in 2015, the Premio Bartolomé Hidalgo in 2017, and the Max Jacob Prize in 2017. In 2019, she received the Medalla Delmira Agustini and was featured among the BBC 100 Women. The Universidad de la República de Uruguay granted her an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree in 2010.
Fast facts
- Born: 1923, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Primary occupations: Poet, translator, literary critic, teacher
- Exile year: 1973
- Miguel de Cervantes Prize: 2018
- BBC 100 Women: 2019
- Education: Honorary Doctor of Letters, Universidad de la República
- Turned 100: November 2023
Questions readers ask
Where does Ida Vitale currently reside?
She returned to Montevideo in 2016 and continues to reside there.
What is the Generation of 45?
It is an Uruguayan art and literary movement that included figures such as Mario Benedetti, Juan Carlos Onetti, and Ángel Rama.
Achievements
- Alfonso Reyes International Prize — 2014
- Miguel de Cervantes Prize — 2018
- Max Jacob Prize — 2017
- Genres: literary criticism and essay