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Antonio PorchiaArgentine poet
Date of Birth: 13.11.1885
Country:  Argentina |
Content:
- Antonio Porchia: The Argentine Poet of Italian Descent
- Emigration and Labor
- Poetic Recognition
- Personal Life
- Literary Success
- International Acclaim
Antonio Porchia: The Argentine Poet of Italian Descent
A Troubled PastAntonio Porchia was born in Italy in 1885, the first of seven children. His father, Francesco, had defied the priesthood and abandoned his vocation for love. This decision marked the family with a sense of perpetual exile, as they moved from town to town to escape scandal and social marginalization.
Emigration and Labor
In 1902, Porchia and his family left Italy for Argentina. He initially worked as a laborer and basket weaver before securing a stable job as a port inspector. He became involved in labor activism and joined anarchist circles, contributing to anarchist publications.
Poetic Recognition
Porchia's poetry emerged from his experiences, characterized by lightning-swift aphorisms. One of his most famous, "Nací de ese lado" ("I was born on that side"), established his poetic voice.
Personal Life
Porchia and his family initially lived in Barracas and San Telmo before settling in La Boca, a predominantly Italian neighborhood. He remained there until 1936, when he relocated to Saavedra.
Literary Success
In 1940, Porchia founded the "Asociación de Arte y Lettras Impulso," which published his first collection, "La Fragua: Voces" in 1943. Initially unnoticed, it gained widespread recognition after the "Sociedad Protectora de Bibliotecas Populares" distributed copies in 1946.
International Acclaim
French critic Roger Caillois praised "Voces" in the prestigious magazine "Sur," leading to its translation into French and publication in avant-garde journals. Henry Miller and Raymond Queneau advocated for Porchia to receive the Prix International pour les Étrangers. While the jury ultimately awarded the prize to another author, they recognized the significance of his work.
