A month ago we wished each other a happy New Year. We vowed that 2021 will be happy, of great well-being and peace. The change of calendar produces the illusion of a better future and hope is renewed. The first month of 2021 is almost over and we see that those words that we all said to each other were a chimera.
This year, in general, it looks quite similar to the previous one. The coronavirus continues to reign. Every day we citizens learn of a scandal, a corruption more miserable than the other or that someone has died. Death has always been part of life, it is true; but in these times it is infinitely more present.
Last year there were many deaths from this cause and this year the picture does not look different. “
I was deeply moved by a text by the writer Aminta Buenaño, about the recent death of her husband, Dr. Roberto Echeverría. It is a lucid, hurt and profound story, through which he pays homage to him and portrays this man who was his life partner. At the same time, it is an alert for everyone: no one is totally safe from covid no matter how careful they are. A great truth told by Aminta.
Last year there were many deaths from this cause and this year the picture does not look different. It would seem that we are in a kind of dead end circle. The writer also passed away recently Guido Jalil, who in the 90’s made his debut in the literary environment by winning the Ecuadorian Novel Biennial with his magnificent work The Triestino James Joyce Francescoli. He developed a career that included the publication of several books.
While writing this column, I learned of the teacher’s passing Enrique Tábara, by natural causes. He was 91 years old. Tábara is a true benchmark of Ecuadorian art, with a work that is always avant-garde. He knew from an early age that his path was art and he walked that path with curiosity, with passion, with fidelity to himself. With study and research, above all.
So goes 2021. Times of uncertainty. Fragile times. (THE)
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