• Submitted by: lena campos
• Education
• 03 / 28 / 2013

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The authenticity and historical value of the lyrical poem Espejo de paciencia, written by Canary scribe Silvestre de Balboa and published in Cuba more than four centuries ago, has been confirmed by Cuban essayist Ramiro García.

altConsidered the first literary work published in Cuba, Espejo de paciencia was written on the island in 1608. The author of the study Vida de Silvestre de Balboa y Troya: El canario precursor de la literatura cubana (Life and work of Silvestre de Balboa y Troya: the precursor of Cuban literature), published by Ácana publishing house confirmed that it was the first literary work written in Cuba and that recent research at the Archivo de Indias in Spain attest that Balboa y Troya wrote the piece during his stay in Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe, today known as Camagüey.

He said that the documents he studied are authentic, adding that the manuscripts place in its in true position the poem, its author and the six sonnet writers who participated in its writing.

García, from the city of Camagüey, explained that during his research he was able to see and photocopy authentic documents preserved at the Archivo de Indias,  showing the true social and cultural conditions in old Puerto Príncipe when the first Cuban literary work was written.

García highlighted that due to these elements there is consensus and scientific results to identify the city of Camagüey as the cradle of Cuban literature. The historic documents consulted are added to the fact that the city is also the cradle of prominent Cuban writers Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda and Cuban National Poet, Nicolás Guillén.

The proposal to declare Camagüey as such in February, 2014, when Camagüey will be marking its 500th anniversary has already been backed by the province’s institutions and intellectuals as well as the National Cuban Writers and Artists Association –UNEAC-.


Source: Radiohc.cu