Heberto Padilla
Encyclopedia
Heberto Padilla was a Cuba
n poet
. The Padilla Affair was named after him. He was born in Puerta de Golpe, Pinar del Río
, Cuba. His first book of poetry, Las rosas audaces (The Audacious Roses), was published in 1948. After a failed first marriage and three children, he married poet Belkis Cuza Malé in 1972.
Although Padilla initially supported the revolution led by Fidel Castro
, by the late 1960s he began to criticize it openly. In 1971, Padilla was imprisoned by the regime. His son, Ernesto Padilla
, was born in 1972.
The reaction of the international intellectual and literary community to Padilla's incarceration and mock trial at the Writers Union led to his release from prison, but he was not allowed to leave the country until 1980. He lived in New York, Washington, D.C. and Madrid, until finally settling in Princeton, NJ. Padilla was a Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Farrar Straus & Giroux published several editions of his poetry, a novel, En mi jardín pastan los héroes', and a book of memoirs, La mala memoria'(Self-Portrait of the Other).
He died on September 24, 2000 while teaching at Auburn University
in Alabama
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
. The Padilla Affair was named after him. He was born in Puerta de Golpe, Pinar del Río
Pinar del Río
Pinar del Río is a city in Cuba. It is the capital of Pinar del Río Province.Inhabitants of the area are called Pinareños.Neighborhoods in the city include La Conchita, La Coloma, Briones Montoto and Las Ovas.-History:...
, Cuba. His first book of poetry, Las rosas audaces (The Audacious Roses), was published in 1948. After a failed first marriage and three children, he married poet Belkis Cuza Malé in 1972.
Although Padilla initially supported the revolution led by Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
, by the late 1960s he began to criticize it openly. In 1971, Padilla was imprisoned by the regime. His son, Ernesto Padilla
Ernesto Padilla
Ernesto Padilla is a Cuban-American artist, graphic designer, and cigar maker. He is the son of Cuban poet, Heberto Padilla.-Early life:...
, was born in 1972.
The reaction of the international intellectual and literary community to Padilla's incarceration and mock trial at the Writers Union led to his release from prison, but he was not allowed to leave the country until 1980. He lived in New York, Washington, D.C. and Madrid, until finally settling in Princeton, NJ. Padilla was a Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Farrar Straus & Giroux published several editions of his poetry, a novel, En mi jardín pastan los héroes', and a book of memoirs, La mala memoria'(Self-Portrait of the Other).
He died on September 24, 2000 while teaching at Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...