Witness of the 20th Century: Homage to the poet Mario Benedetti

Reading and presentation of the bilingual anthology ‘Witness: The Selected Poems of Mario Benedetti.’

Mario Benedetti (Uruguay, 1920-2009) is one of the most important Uruguayan and Latin American writers of the 20th century. He has been closely linked to Spain, where he has resided and has received important awards.

Witness: The Selected Poems of Mario Benedetti  (selection and translation by Louise B. Popkin, White Pine Press, 2013) is the first collection of poems by the writer translated into English, in a bilingual version. It draws on thirty of his works, published between 1948 and 2009, thus presenting the full range of his poetic voice.  It has been translated by Professor Lousie Popkin, a close friend of the writer well acquainted with his work.

On October 10, the OAS commemorates the Discovery of America: Encounter of Two Worlds.

Participants:

• Ambassador Milton Romani Gerner, Permanent Mission of Uruguay to the OASAmbassador Jorge Hevia, Permanent Observer Mission of Spain to the OAS.
• Rei Berroa, Dominican poet, Professor of Latin America and Spanish literature, George Mason University.
• Louise B. Popkin, Translator, Associate Professor, Harvard University  Division of Continuing Education.
• Sonia Fernández Planté, Social psychologist.