This author is considered one of the most prominent poets and essayists of recent generations, with works that serve as erudite maps of their literary loves, accompanied by ideological declarations about history and the modern world. Their writings delve into profound literary traditions while offering insightful commentary on contemporary affairs. The author's prose often acts as a dramatic testament to historical events, exploring complex issues of colonization and human nature.
Tantos hombres de España, tantos indios, tantas llamas, tantos perros, tantos cerdos, subiendo por esas pendientes de viento helado, yendo a rendir tributo a unos dioses desconocidos. Tanta gente dispuesta a morir por un cuento, por un humor, ahora me alarman, por que esa expedición solo a medias era la búsqueda de un tesoro.
Young Ursúa embarks in a voyage to America in search of fortune and glory. He arrives in Peru, where Pizarro’s uprising, the general upheaval and the riches now in hands of other Spaniards, make him question his plans to stay. He receives an unexpected letter from his uncle, the judge of Nueva Granada, inviting him to Cartagena, where his adventures, fortunes, and misfortunes begin. With profound understanding and historical knowledge, Ospina gives us a dramatic testimony of the Spanish conquest of America. Description in Spanish: Con sólo quince años de edad, Ursúa se embarca hacia América en busca de fortuna y de gloria, llega primero a Perú donde la insurrección de Pizarro, la confusión general y un tesoro que ya se encuentra en manos de otros españoles, le hacen dudar de continuar en esas tierras. Sin embargo, estando allí una carta de un tío le devuelve la esperanza; Miguel Díaz de Armendáriz, nombrado juez de la Nueva Granada, invita a Ursúa a Cartagena. El joven acude en el acto y a partir de allí se puede decir que comienzan sus aventuras y desventuras en el Nuevo Mundo. Guerras sangrientas y crueles contra indígenas y negros libertos, engaños y traiciones, un amor por una india y un hijo con un blanca al que jamás conoció, y atravesando todo esto, constante, como grabado sobre piedra, la leyenda de El Dorado, la máxima quimera de todas sus ambiciones.
Cantos/Cuentos Colombianos is the most comprehensive exhibition of contemporary Colombian art ever shown in Europe. Ten widely recognized Colombian artists present a previously unknown world of images and experience worthy of international attention. With great formal and substantive rigor, the artists deal with their country and its troubled past and present through installation, video, photography, objects, performance and sound works. The book includes extensive photo-documentation of the artists' studios as well as in-depth interviews. Four prominent Colombian thinkers of varying political persuasions discuss political, social and cultural issues facing their country in enlightening and thought-provoking essays.