Rafael Solana Salcedo (August 7, 1915 – September 6, 1992) was a Mexican writer, poet, journalist, critic and playwright. He is considered a cornerstone of journalism and theatrical criticism, as well as an innovator of Mexican comedy theater in the 1950s, and a promoter of dramatic arts and national culture.

Early life

Solana was born in the port of

Veracruz Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, is one of the 31 states which, along with Mexico City, comprise the 32 Political divisions of Mexico, Federal Entit ...

in 1915. His father, Rafael Solana Cinta, was a journalist, one of the founders of '' El Universal'' newspaper who, as a reporter, traveled with

Venustiano Carranza José Venustiano Carranza de la Garza (; 29 December 1859 – 21 May 1920), known as Venustiano Carranza, was a Mexican land owner and politician who served as President of Mexico from 1917 until his assassination in 1920, during the Mexican Re ...

's troops across the state of

. Solana's family moved to

Mexico City Mexico City is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Mexico, largest city of Mexico, as well as the List of North American cities by population, most populous city in North America. It is one of the most important cultural and finan ...

when Rafael was young. At the age of 14, he published his first stories in the ''Pulgarcito'' section of ''El Universal Gráfico''. As a teenager, Solana met and befriended

Octavio Paz Octavio Paz Lozano (March 31, 1914 – April 19, 1998) was a Mexican poet and diplomat. For his body of work, he was awarded the 1977 Jerusalem Prize, the 1981 Miguel de Cervantes Prize, the 1982 Neustadt International Prize for Literature, a ...

and

José Revueltas José Revueltas Sánchez (November 20, 1914 in Santiago Papasquiaro, Durango – April 14, 1976 in Mexico City) was a Mexican writer, essayist, and political activist. He was part of an important artistic family that included his siblings Silves ...

, two other renowned writers. He studied at the

National Preparatory School The Escuela Nacional Preparatoria () (ENP), the oldest senior High School system in Mexico, belonging to the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), opened its doors on February 1, 1868. It was founded by Gabino Barreda, M.D., following ...

and at the faculties of Law and Philosophy and Letters (1930–1937) at the

National Autonomous University of Mexico The National Autonomous University of Mexico (, UNAM) is a public university, public research university in Mexico. It has several campuses in Mexico City, and many others in various locations across Mexico, as well as a presence in nine countri ...

(UNAM).

Career

In 1934, at just nineteen years old, Solana released his first poetry collection, ''Ladera''. By 1936, he founded and published the magazine ''Taller poético'', an individual project soon joined by

Efraín Huerta Efraín Huerta Roma (June 18, 1914 – February 3, 1982) was a Mexican poet and journalist. Born and raised in the state of Guanajuato, he moved to Mexico City initially to start a career in art. Unable to enter the Academy of San Carlos, he ...

, and Alberto Quintero Álvarez. The magazine aimed to bring together Mexican poets, regardless of age or their affiliation with any particular group. After four issues of ''Taller poético'', Solana decided to expand the magazine's themes and content. He brought together a new group of young writers who had published their poems in ''

Barandal Calamba, officially the City of Calamba (), is a component city in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 539,671 people making it the largest city in the province. Calamba is the regional c ...

'', where his friend Octavio Paz stood out. Thanks to Solana's initiative and diplomatic approach, in 1938, the members of both publications came together to create ''Taller'' magazine. This new magazine would gain popularity and become the most important of its time. Solana was responsible for publishing the first four issues, while the following ones were overseen by Octavio Paz. The magazine had wide circulation and published the most prominent Mexican writers of the era, as well as many intellectuals exiled due to the

Spanish Civil War The Spanish Civil War () was a military conflict fought from 1936 to 1939 between the Republican faction (Spanish Civil War), Republicans and the Nationalist faction (Spanish Civil War), Nationalists. Republicans were loyal to the Left-wing p ...

. He died on September 6, 1992, in Mexico City.

Works

Solana wrote seven books of poetry: ''Los espejos falsarios'' (1944), ''Cinco veces el mismo soneto'' (1948), ''Alas'' (1958), and ''Las estaciones'' (1958) and ''Pido la palabra'' (1964). He wrote 9 novels and 22 collections of short stories. Solana wrote 33 plays and is recognized as a renovator of Mexican theater. He frequently used humor, seeing it as one of the best ways to criticize society. His most famous and internationally known work is ''There Should Be Female Bishops'' (). As a journalist he contributed to the leading newspapers and magazines of his era, including ''

Excélsior ''Excélsior'' is a daily newspaper in Mexico City. It is the second-oldest paper in the city after ''El Universal (Mexico City), El Universal'', printing its first issue on March 18, 1917. The newspaper's headquarters are located at Avenida Buc ...

'', ', ''El Día'' and ''

Siempre! ''Siempre!'' is a news and political magazine published in Mexico. The magazine is published on a weekly basis. By the end of the 1960s, the magazine became a significant part of Mexican politics and an important publication for democratization ...

''.

Awards and distinctions

In 1979, he was awarded the special prize of the . He won the

National Prize for Arts and Sciences The National Prize for Arts and Sciences () is awarded annually by the Government of Mexico in six categories. It is part of the Mexican Honours System and was established in 1945 by President Manuel Ávila Camacho to promote the country's artistic ...

in the area of Linguistics and Literature in 1986. He was the founder of the Mexican Association of Theater Critics (), which he led until his death. He was awarded the Juan Ruiz de Alarcón Prize 1991, Mozart Medal 1992, Honorary Doctorate from the University of Mérida and the Veracruzana University, Knight of the International Order of Public Good and the

Order of Merit The Order of Merit () is an order of merit for the Commonwealth realms, recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or the promotion of culture. Established in 1902 by Edward VII, admission into the order r ...

of France.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Solana, Rafael 1915 births National Prize for Arts and Sciences (Mexico) National Autonomous University of Mexico alumni Writers from Veracruz 1992 deaths