Can Asturias be in Paris?

TRIVIA
In collaboration with J.M. Gonzalez de Mendoza, he translated to Spanish the most important works of Mayan literature, the “Popol Vuh” and the “Anals of the Xahil.”

In the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris is found the tomb of the honored Guatemalan writer and diplomat, Miguel Angel Asturias, father of “magical realism.”

Miguel Angel Asturias was born in the city of Guatemala, Guatemala, on October 19, 1899, where he studied medicine and law, obtaining a Ph.D. in 1922 with a thesis titled “The social problem of the indian,” that obtained the University Gold Medal.

Around that time he published his first poems in La Opinion and La Campaña, and in 1923 establishes contact with the avant-garde art in Europe. It is in Paris where, with Georges Raynaud, he begins to study old American cultures, a subject that became common throughout almost all his work.

HIS FAMILY
His parents, Ernesto Asturias and Maria Rosales. His brother, Marco Antonio. His first wife, Clemencia Amado. His children, Rodrigo and Miguel Angel. His second wife, Blanca Mora y Araujo.

In 1930, dazzled by the magical world of the Quiche indians, he publishes “Legends of Guatemala,” awarded the Silla Monsegur Price.

Nevertheless, it is not until 1946 that he attains global projection upon publication of “Mr. President,” a novel of real politics that takes place in his own Country and that wins the William Faulkner Foundation price for best Latin American novel.

That same year he begins a long diplomatic career as cultural attache of the Embassy of Guatemala in Mexico, and from 1948 to 1950 he works as counselor at the Embassy of Buenos Aires, to finally become, in 1953, Ambassador of his country in El Salvador.

In his writings, he contrasts the mystic image of the Maya world with the materialism of modern society, as can be appreciated in the trilogy, “Strong Wind” (1950), “The Green People” (1954) and “The Eyes of the Buried” (1955).

because I love them as one loves bad sons...
A lament by M.A. Asturias to his friends who discarded some verses upon preparing a selection of his best poetry

In 1966 he settles in Paris as president of the French Pen Club and towards the end of the year is named ambassador of Guatemala in France.

Finally, and proudly for Latin American letters, in 1967 he is awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

In 1970 he resigned as ambassador and fixed his residence in Europe.

Other than the already mentioned publications, among his work stand out “Corn Men” (1949), “Weekend in Guatemala” (1956), “Maladron” (1969), several plays, and innumerable poems.

ANECDOTE
President of the jury at the 1970 Cannes film festival, Asturias sarcastically comments that having seen seventy films in a few days is enough for three years.

A contradictory man, who fought the dictatorships as well as represented them in the diplomatic service, he used a poetic-ideological mix with great success to place the reality of our people, literally confronted with the majesty of our Maya past, on the discussion table.

Political turbulences, endemic in Guatemala during Asturias’s life, prevented him from being recognized as he deserved to be for his work. Nevertheless, 25 years after his death, in 1974, the Government of Guatemala declared 1999 as the Year of the 100th Anniversary of Miguel Angel Asturias.

Miguel Angel Asturias, an example of the best of the latin spirit.