The Nobel awarded writer communicates his refusal to lead “Instituto Cervantes” world wide in writing, because his literary drive is stronger than political temptations of any sort.According to Elpais.com/cultura/2012/01/21, Mario Vargas Llosa turned down Rajoy’s proposal to become President of Instituto Cervantes in his letter addressed to the President of the Spanish Government. The content of this letter or further information has not been disclosed, nor has Vargas Llosa released any further declarations. As for his refusal, all we have goes little far beyond speculation. However, he expresses once again his willingness to keep collaborating with the institution. Even thought the proposal makes him feel honoured, it is not compatible with his literary vocation.
The decision, nonetheless courageous, is supported by the Spanish Sovereign, with whom Vargas Llosa has always had an excellent relationship. In 2000, on the 25th anniversary of the Spanish Monarchy, H.R.M Juan Carlos wrote for El País Semanal: ”Everyone acknowledges his subtle intelligence (…) and all his deeds were incredibly skillful, future-visionary, opportunity-driven, tactful and somehow politically Machiavellian”.
Vargas Llosa has had the Spanish nationality since 1993. The -at the time-President of the Spanish Government Felipe González agreed to it when he, having openly antagonised the Peruvian dictatorship of Fujimori, was being “harassed” by the latter all over the world. “Because of my situation inPeru”, Vargas Llosa pointed out, “It would have been hazardous to enter the Pariah status”. Spain rescued him, for which the author has always showed gratefulness.
We all find the decision both courageous and sensitive. But so it was the King’s back up whom, being a staunch supporter of good manners, Rajoy definitely kept informed. And King Juan Carlos automatically supported it. All celebrities involved (The King, the President and the writer) acted equally with the same correctness.
José Manuel Blecua says: It was definitely a good idea. Mario owns a great diplomatic orientation; he is got drive.
But here comes the human factor into scenery “to collapse” with: speculations tell how the period of time invested on considering the nomination was simply a delay in returning the final decision of non-acceptance, taking into account the literary vocation of Vargas Llosa.
During the 80’s the author noticed his political vocation, and opted to compete for the Peruvian Presidential Elections, which Fujimori won. Even during his political period, Vargas Llosa would turn in with Góngora’s verses. Once the political nightmare – which left him at the brim of his strength – was over, out of his books everything became unimportant
Any of those who have had the opportunity to read about his remarks about the distractions caused by the Nobel Awards and events of the like, know that Vargas Llosa would feel both honoured and overwhelmed at the thought of presiding an institution of the relevance of Instituto Cervantes. Therefore, “no” would be the right answer to such courageous as well as committing question.
And he said “no”. Vargas Llosa is full-time writer since Carmen Bacells – his Literary Agent – rescued him fromLondon, along with his wife, Patricia and their two boys (Morgana would be born inBarcelona), set up his wages and helped him finish “La casa verde” without economic pressure. The legend tells how this tenacious man (“I must replae imagination with hard work”) spent many days locked up in his bureau with the lunch tray waiting for him at the entrance. His routines are clear: morning footing or walking, reading three nedwspapers, and around10 o’clockin the morning he locks himself up to write consistently. He seldom picks up any call on “high performance or working hours”, and in the afternoons he leaves to write. In the evenings he goes to the theatre, cinema or meets some friends for dinner and atmidnighthe turns in for some rest.
The side of Vargas Llosa who does not use mobile phones and ignores what e-mailing means, does not match a position of full responsibility, no matter how honorific it might be. According to his friend Manuel Blecua “Neither would he accept filling a position without fully exerting all responsibility and all its implications”
So he said “no”. So it leads us to think: what is the future of Instituto Cervantes? Y ese no lleva ahora a alguna reflexión. César Antonio Molina supports the idea of incorporating latin-american writers to its centre-network. We have already had Muñoz Molina in CervantesNew York, and Vargas Llosa would have definitely added prestige up. But let us follow the line: let us incorporate those intellectuals of Spanish Letters whose nationality is other than Spanish”.
Darío Villanueva believes that Mario would have been a great Cervantes’ Embassador, which he already is, and will keep on being¡ ¡He is actually an intellectual who you hear about everywhere”. But the institution is highly burocratic- he pinpoints, “that is why management is very demanding and excessively time-consuming. Incorporating Mario or someone or someonelse of the like, would forcely imply a deep, conciously crafted reestructuring”.
Emilio Lledó speaks about the Spanish language: “We must defend it, and Instituto Cervantes can, using the words as humble, quiet means for its purpose; the language is a hidden, well taken care of treasure, so should be like the Institution defusing it”
José Manuel Blecua points out: “It was a good idea. Mario owns the dimension for a Langage Ambassador; has got drive to be the language symbol wherever he goes. And he is charming to seduce people. But I can fully understand his decision. I worked for Insituto Cervantes. It means working hard, non-stop on a daily basis, and complex. And Mario is already engaged with many causes, let alone his writing vocation, I cannot either see him simply as part of the decoration, without actively getting involved into the whole project.”
Vargas Llosa said “no”. This time, the Human Factor weighed more than courageous temptations of whatever kind.
Martina Schmieder
