Cuban writer and translator Julia Calzadilla dies at 81

AREQUIPA, Peru – The renowned Cuban poet, narrator and translator Julia Calzadilla died this Friday in Havana at the age of 81, the Cuban Book Institute reported on its Facebook page.

Graduated in Art History from the University of Havana, the writer, born in the Cuban capital on August 1, 1943, worked as a documentary and literary translator, as well as in simultaneous interpretation into Spanish from English, French, Italian and Portuguese. in national and international events.

Calzadilla was a member of the International Association of Egyptologists of the United Kingdom, of the Osiris Scientific Team, Alicante, Spain; of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (Uneac), and of the Cuban Association of Translators and Interpreters (ACTI).

The poems Singers (1975), Songs of Latin America and the Caribbean (1982), The Chichiricú of Charco de la Jícara (1988), The Little Poems of Singing Grandpa (1989), y Chirri’s incredible adventures (1989) are some of his literary creations.

Throughout his career, Calzadilla earned countless laurels and recognitions, among them, the distinction for National Culture (1996), and the Juan Ortega Gatell Award (1999), awarded by the Translators and Interpreters Services Team (Esti) to the Best Professional of the Year.

Also the Gitana Tropical distinction (2002), awarded by the Provincial Directorate of Culture of Havana, and the Astrid Lindgren Prize (2014) in the branch of children’s and youth literature, awarded by the International Federation of Translators (FIT).

For his talent when it comes to writing, his catalog is honored with other important awards such as the Casa de las Américas Award (1976) for Songs of Latin America and the Caribbean. Furthermore, his work Poetrywon the Bratislava International Fair Award in 1982.

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