Ricardo Güiraldes, gauchos’ golden quill
He is not only the San Antonio de Areco’s emblem, he is also one of the most admired poets and writers of Argentina.
Ricardo Güiraldes (1886-1927), despite his short life, made a big impact thanks to his poems and works inspired by the gauchos’ way of life.
Who was he?
Ricardo Güiraldes was born as a porteño (Buenos Aires’ inhabitant) on February 13th, 1886. He descended from a rich family from the capital city; he experienced a very particular childhood for that time. Ricardo settled for Europe shortly after his birth, a continent he would live on his first four years. This move, organised by his father, mayor of Buenos Aires at that time, provided him with the unique opportunity to learn French, German and Castilian at only 4 years old.
Back in Buenos Aires, the future writer received an education from a good family and often spent time at La Porteña, estancia in San Antonio de Areco owned by his family. Indeed, his mother was a member of the family which created the colonial village. Without knowing it, this bucolic place was going to inspire the artist for the writing of his novels a few years later.
A child raised with traditional customs
Ricardo took advantage of his family’s wealth and traveled a lot with his friends in the biggest capital cities of the world. Tango, women and parties became his favourite interests.
Fond of art and reading, but also very impressed by the different literary styles he was exposed to during his many trips around the world, Ricardo Güiraldes took a writing career up at 26 years old. Many of the different artists he had met in Paris appreciated his cosmopolite writing and French-style-based tastes.
A non-promising start
Thanks to his dancing skills, he charmed the woman of his dreams on the dancefloor. He married Adelina shortly-after they had met. His first two pieces of work were inspired by their idyllic union. Very criticised by the public opinion, Ricardo understood that romance was not the theme he was the most at ease with. Distraught by his failure, he tried to get rid of all his books by throwing them in a well, although they were saved in extremis by his wife. With little damages, his works are today exposed at the Ricardo Güiraldes’ Museum in San Antonio de Areco.
The Pampas, new source of inspiration
Romance was not his strength. What genre should he write in then? The answer, Ricardo found it when travelling back to San Antonio de Areco. The rural life in the estancias, the gauchos and their inseparable mount, the vast plains were his only sources of inspiration in the end. He fell in love with this way of life: “Una luz fresca chorreaba de oro el campo” (“a fresh light was splashing the countryside with gold”).
Supported by his relatives, he published his first novel, Raucho, in 1917. From then on, publications started increasing. Rosaura, Xamaica, and other poems made the headlines.
During his stays at the estancia La Porteña, Ricardo met Segundo Ramirez, a gaucho he drew his inspiration from in his most famous and emblematic work: Don Segundo Sombra. Don Segundo, the main character has the same features as the traditional gauchos.
The author was awarded and received the Literary National First Prize in 1925 for this book. Many friends from the literary and art worlds congratulated him for his unique style and encouraged him to go further.
Unfortunately, Ricardo Güiraldes died during his last trip to France, following an illness. His dead body was repatriated to Buenos Aires and inhumated at San Antonio de Areco’s graveyard in a deep sorrow.
Ricardo Güiraldes, today in the collective memory
Ricardo Güiraldes established himself as one of the biggest figures of Argentin literature. Several poem collections were published posthumously, as a recognition towards his mythical works, more and more admired everyday throughout the world. In addition, his ultimate novel has been translated into more than 60 languages.
Argentinian students are often told to read Güiraldes’ books. Many school trips are organized every year in Areco, in the footsteps of the novelist.
Ricardo Güiraldes is the ultimate Argentinian writer nowadays. So much so that a museum was opened in his honor in 1938 in San Antonio de Areco. The museum holds his name and recounts the artist’s life while offering an opening on the traditional Argentinian spirit. Very popular, today’s visitors are provided with the unique chance to be able to admire objects having be owned by the novelist.
This museum, Spanish colonial-style-built, is the perfect place to get yourself immersed into the rich past of our country.
Argentinian students are often told to read Güiraldes’ books. Many school trips are organized every year in Areco, in the footsteps of the novelist.
Ricardo Güiraldes is the ultimate Argentinian writer nowadays. So much so that a museum was opened in his honor in 1938 in San Antonio de Areco. The museum holds his name and recounts the artist’s life while offering an opening on the traditional Argentinian spirit. Very popular, today’s visitors are provided with the unique chance to be able to admire objects having be owned by the novelist.
This museum, Spanish colonial-style-built, is the perfect place to get yourself immersed into the rich past of our country.
