Obituary – Death – Cause of death News : Antonio Skármeta, a prolific and celebrated Chilean author, passed away at the age of 83 in Santiago after battling cancer. Skármeta, known for his significant contributions to Latin American literature, also served as Chile’s ambassador to Germany from 2000 to 2003. His life was marked by a journey of exile and resilience, having fled the oppressive Pinochet regime to make a new home in Berlin.
Born in Antofagasta, Chile, Skármeta’s works often reflected autobiographical elements, with themes of flight and exile recurring throughout his writing. His experiences at the Instituto Nacional de Chile shaped his views on democracy, preparing him for a life dedicated to literature and politics. Skármeta’s support for Salvador Allende, the democratically elected socialist president overthrown by Pinochet in 1973, led to his decision to leave Chile amidst the political turmoil.
In Berlin, Skármeta found inspiration for his internationally acclaimed work, ‘Ardiente Paciencia’ (Burning Patience), which was later adapted into the film ‘The Postman’. This literary tribute to Pablo Neruda showcased Skármeta’s deep admiration for the renowned poet and his connection to the Chilean people.
After 16 years in exile, Skármeta returned to Chile in 1989, witnessing the aftermath of Pinochet’s regime and the country’s journey towards democracy. Despite the challenges faced by a divided nation, Skármeta remained committed to rebuilding Chile’s cultural and political landscape.
Throughout his life, Skármeta’s dedication to literature and his country’s history earned him numerous accolades, including Chile’s prestigious Premio Nacional de Literatura. His legacy as a writer, diplomat, and advocate for democracy continues to inspire generations of readers and writers around the world. Antonio Skármeta may have left this world, but his words and his spirit live on in the hearts of those who cherish his work.
Antonio Skármeta, Acclaimed Chilean Author, Dies at 83
Who was Antonio Skármeta?
Antonio Skarmeta, a significant figure in Latin American literature, died in Santiago at the age of 83 of cancer. He also served as Chile’s ambassador to Germany from 2000 to 2003, having fled the Pinochet regime and made a new home there.
What was Antonio Skarmeta’s background?
Antonio Skarmeta was born on November 7, 1940, in Antofagasta, a city in Chile’s subtropical north. His grandparents moved from Croatia to Chile shortly before World War I began. Skarmeta’s 1999 novel ‘La Boda del Poeta’ (The Poet’s Wedding) chronicles their lives.
What were the themes of Antonio Skarmeta’s works?
Many of his works have autobiographical elements. Many of them revolve around flight and exile, which was one of his most important subjects.
How did Antonio Skarmeta’s education influence his views?
Skarmeta attended the Instituto Nacional de Chile, the country’s most recognised boys’ institution. The school prepared him for life: “It taught me democracy. It was attended by students from all walks of life, the poor, the middle class and the rich. That explains my positions in literature and politics,” he said in an interview in 2017.
What was Antonio Skarmeta’s political involvement?
In the 1970s, he backed Salvador Allende, the democratically elected socialist president who was deposed by Augusto Pinochet in 1973. On the day of the coup, September 9, 1973, Allende committed suicide in the presidential palace.
How did Antonio Skarmeta’s exile impact his literary work?
In Berlin, he focused on putting his most recent experiences into literary pieces. In ‘No pasó nada’ (Nothing happened), he showed a young man’s viewpoint on the difficult relationship between his old and new homes. It told the narrative of a family divided by exile. This was his story.
What work propelled Antonio Skarmeta to international acclaim?
In Berlin, he also penned the work that propelled him to international acclaim. ‘Ardiente Paciencia’ (Burning Patience), published in 1985, was made into the film ‘The Postman’ (1994), starring French actor Philippe Noiret.
What was Antonio Skarmeta’s return to Chile like?
After 16 years in exile in Berlin, Antonio Skarmeta returned to Chile in 1989, when the Pinochet regime was over. He was joined by his second wife, a German, and their two sons. His two older sons from his first marriage were already grownups and still living in Berlin. Skarmeta’s family is now spread across two continents as a result of their exile.
What was the state of Chile when Antonio Skarmeta returned?
Formerly exiled Chileans sought to assist rebuild democracy, which was “very unstable” in the early 1990s, according to Skarmeta. “There was a democratically elected president, but Pinochet remained in his post as military commander for some time” — up to 1999. Pinochet died in 2006, never having been held accountable for the crimes perpetrated during his dictatorship.
What were Antonio Skarmeta’s contributions beyond literature?
In addition to writing, Antonio Skarmeta presented a literature program on Chilean television in the 1990s. From 2000 until 2003, he served as Germany’s ambassador in Berlin. In 2014, he received Chile’s most prestigious literary award, the Premio Nacional de Literatura de Chile.
That explains my positions in literature and politics,” he said in an interview in 2017.
After graduating from high school, Antonio Skarmeta studied philosophy in Chile and spent some time in the United States.
In the 1970s, he backed Salvador Allende, the democratically elected socialist president who was deposed by Augusto Pinochet in 1973. On the day of the coup, September 9, 1973, Allende committed suicide in the presidential palace.
In the months and years that followed, the military dictatorship tortured or assassinated several artists, academics, and Pinochet opponents.
Victor Jara, a song composer, was fatally murdered in a sports stadium. Skarmeta’s buddy, Chilean national poet Pablo Neruda, died soon after in a hospital. His family had long claimed that he had been poisoned; further investigations revealed that he did not die from cancer, as authorities said.
Many intellectuals left the nation, including novelist Isabel Allende. Antonio Skarmeta made the decision to leave Chile in 1973 when it was still possible.
He moved to West Berlin in 1974 thanks to a grant from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). His first wife and two young sons joined him soon after.
In Berlin, he focused on putting his most recent experiences into literary pieces. In ‘No pasó nada’ (Nothing happened), he showed a young man’s viewpoint on the difficult relationship between his old and new homes. It told the narrative of a family divided by exile. This was his story.
**Skarmeta, Neruda, and Chile’s Favourite Poets**
In Berlin, he also penned the work that propelled him to international acclaim. ‘Ardiente Paciencia’ (Burning Patience), published in 1985, was made into the film ‘The Postman’ (1994), starring French actor Philippe Noiret.
The work is a literary tribute to Pablo Neruda, telling the narrative of a postman who uses amorous rhymes to win over his love interest. “‘Ardiente Paciencia’ is also the story of a poet who loves his people, and of a people that loves its poets,” said Skarmeta.
“Pablo Neruda had a special relationship with people. I often witnessed that,” Skarmeta continued, recalling how residents in a small village once begged Neruda to recite poems that the peasants and craftsmen knew and appreciated.
After 16 years in exile in Berlin, Antonio Skarmeta returned to Chile in 1989, when the Pinochet regime was over. He was joined by his second wife, a German, and their two sons. His two older sons from his first marriage were already grownups and still living in Berlin. Skarmeta’s family is now spread across two continents as a result of their exile.
**Return to a Divided Country**
The poet’s beloved nation has been wrecked by years of authoritarianism.
Formerly exiled Chileans sought to assist rebuild democracy, which was “very unstable” in the early 1990s, according to Skarmeta. “There was a democratically elected president, but Pinochet remained in his post as military commander for some time” — up to 1999. Pinochet died in 2006, never having been held accountable for the crimes perpetrated during his dictatorship.
In addition to writing, Antonio Skarmeta presented a literature program on Chilean television in the 1990s. From 2000 until 2003, he served as Germany’s ambassador in Berlin. In 2014, he received Chile’s most prestigious literary award, the Premio Nacional de Literatura de Chile.
Sources:
– [Antonio Skármeta, Acclaimed Chilean Author, Dies at 83](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/antonio-skarmeta-acclaimed-chilean-author-dies-at-83/articleshow/85786802.cms) Antonio Skarmeta, a prominent figure in both literature and politics, has a fascinating story that intertwines with the tumultuous history of Chile. In a revealing interview in 2017, he explained how his personal experiences have shaped his views and artistic creations.
Skarmeta’s journey began after he graduated from high school, when he decided to pursue a degree in philosophy in Chile. His academic pursuits eventually led him to spend some time in the United States, where he further broadened his horizons and gained valuable insights.
The 1970s marked a critical period in Skarmeta’s life, as he found himself supporting Salvador Allende, the democratically elected socialist president of Chile. However, the political landscape shifted dramatically when Allende was overthrown by Augusto Pinochet in a violent coup in 1973. The tragic events of September 9, 1973, culminated in Allende’s untimely death by suicide in the presidential palace.
The aftermath of the coup was marked by widespread repression and violence, as the military dictatorship led by Pinochet targeted artists, academics, and political dissidents. One of the most poignant losses was that of Victor Jara, a talented songwriter who was brutally murdered in a sports stadium. Skarmeta also mourned the passing of his close friend, Pablo Neruda, the renowned Chilean poet who died under suspicious circumstances shortly after the coup.
In the face of escalating persecution and censorship, many intellectuals, including Skarmeta and Isabel Allende, chose to leave Chile to escape the oppressive regime. In 1973, Skarmeta made the difficult decision to embark on a new chapter of his life in exile, eventually settling in West Berlin with the support of a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
During his time in Berlin, Skarmeta channeled his experiences and emotions into his literary work, creating powerful narratives that reflected the pain and resilience of his homeland. One of his most acclaimed works, “No pasó nada” (Nothing happened), delved into the complexities of exile and the impact of political upheaval on families torn apart by circumstances beyond their control.
However, it was “Ardiente Paciencia” (Burning Patience) that truly catapulted Skarmeta to international fame, with its poignant homage to Pablo Neruda and the enduring power of poetry to transcend adversity. The novel, which was later adapted into the film “The Postman” starring Philippe Noiret, captured the essence of Neruda’s spirit and his profound connection with the people of Chile.
After sixteen years in exile, Skarmeta made the decision to return to Chile in 1989 following the end of the Pinochet regime. Reuniting with his family, who had also endured years of separation and displacement, Skarmeta embarked on a new chapter in his homeland, which was still grappling with the scars of authoritarian rule.
As Chile transitioned towards democracy in the 1990s, Skarmeta played an active role in rebuilding the cultural and literary landscape of his country. In addition to his writing, he hosted a popular literature program on Chilean television and served as Germany’s ambassador in Berlin from 2000 to 2003, fostering diplomatic ties between the two nations.
In recognition of his contributions to Chilean literature, Skarmeta was honored with the prestigious Premio Nacional de Literatura de Chile in 2014, cementing his legacy as a literary giant whose words continue to resonate with readers around the world. Despite the challenges and hardships he has faced, Skarmeta’s unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and artistic expression serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations.
Sources:
1. [Interview with Antonio Skarmeta, 2017](#)
2. [Salvador Allende – Biography](#)
3. [Augusto Pinochet – History](#)
4. [Pablo Neruda – Poet](#)
5. [Isabel Allende – Author](#)