Today, Mario Vargas Llosa, the Peruvian writer and Nobel Prize winner in Literature (2010), received an honorary doctorate at the Universidad Andres Bellos en las Condes, a swank suburb of Santiago. I took the Metro from my downtown parish to the end of the line. Then I took a cab another twenty minutes to reach my destination. As I walked into the university, Vargas Llosa was emerging from a vehicle. The event was not to begin for almost another hour, so I went amidst a crowd of well-dressed persons to find my place.What followed was a literary and rhetorical spectacle. The doctorate was awarded with more custom and tradition than I have seen in the United States. It was a lovely rite. Dr. Alfredo Matus Olivier rendered a witty reflection on "Vargas Llosa and God's mistake." It was a great address, full of wit and profundity. Then, Vargas Llosa spoke. His address was wide ranging-- Peru's political history, the corruption of politicians (himself a former presidential candidate), the nobility of the calling to public service, the pessimism of the masses. He also addressed the virtues of democracy over communism, and the frivolity and stupidity that settle into those in democracies when we are not vigilant to protect our freedoms. He also spoke of his hopes for the Middle East as well as concerns about intellectual property and piracy (of DVDs, music, and books). He hit upon many a theme. It was a splendid cultural affair! Naturally, I brought my camera. :)
 |
| L to R: Dr. Alfredo Matus Olivier, Mario Vargas Llosa, Pedro Uribe Jackson (Rector of UAB) |
The guide for the ceremony had a seventeen-page biography for Vargas Llosa, mentioning all his books and awards, less one. Strange that the biography did not mention the Nobel Prize. They had intended to award this doctorate a year ago, but the earthquake of February 27, 2010 intervened. I suspect that they had the chance, to amend the biography in the course of the year.
No comments:
Post a Comment