Mario Vargas Llosa, an emblematic figure of Latin American literature, has celebrated his 88th birthday surrounded by affection, literature and memories. This commemoration, in addition to highlighting the importance of his vast work and cultural contribution, has been the scene of intimate and personal moments shared with his family and friends.
Among the numerous tributes and gestures of gratitude, one of the most notable has been the way in which his children decided to express their love and admiration for their father. Through various publications on social networks, Álvaro, Gonzalo and Morgana have shared images and messages that show the closeness and deep family bond with their father.
However, it was in one of these publications that a detail hitherto unknown to the general public was revealed: the affectionate nickname with which the children refer to Mario Vargas Llosa. “Dear Varguitas, tireless 88 years,” was the phrase chosen by Álvaro Vargas Llosa to congratulate his father on this important date.
This nickname is not only a sign of family tenderness, but also opens a window to the personal and literary history that surrounds the award-winning writer. Varguitas, a nickname full of affection, hides behind it a direct connection with What Varguitas Didn’t Say, an autobiographical work by Julia Urquidi, Vargas Llosa’s first wife.
This book, published in 1983, narrates from an intimate and personal perspective the years that Urquidi lived alongside Vargas Llosa, supporting him on his path to becoming one of the most recognized writers of his generation. The relationship, which had very complicated moments, such as the writer’s infidelity and the subsequent relationship and marriage with Patricia Llosa, his cousin, served as a kind of vital learning experience for the author.
The celebration of Mario Vargas Llosa’s 88th birthday continued in an atmosphere full of emotion and warmth, in which every detail was loaded with meaning and tribute to the writer’s life. Thus, the evening, in which Patricia Vargas Llosa was present, was accompanied by traditional Peruvian music and dance.
One of the most emotional moments of the day was the act of blowing out the candles on the birthday cakes. Two cakes were presented in honor of the writer: one that evoked the Misti volcano, symbol of Arequipa, his hometown, and another that represented the convent of Santa Catalina, referring to the landscapes and memories that have marked his life and work. of the.
