Azarias Pallais
Encyclopedia
Azarías de Jesús Pallais or Azarías H. Pallais (November 3, 1884–September 6, 1954) is regarded as one of Nicaragua
's greatest poets. He was born in León
. Pallais's father was a medical doctor and his mother was a niece of liberal
statesman Maximo Jerez
. He was a descendant of Henri Pallais (hence the middle initial H.), a Frenchman who settled in Nicaragua at the turn of the nineteenth century.
expelled an entire section of the Nicaraguan clergy, including Pallais, then aged 20, who moved to Paris and joined the Saint-Sulpice
seminary to continue his theological studies. He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1908. Pallais studied at the Catholic University of Leuven
in Belgium and received a PhD
in theology
. In 1911 he returned to his hometown of León in Nicaragua. In that same year his preaching scandalized the conservative local clergy, resulting in his suspension a divinis (the gravest canonical
sanction) by the bishop
. Monsignor Pereira annulled the sanction sometime later that year.
. During that time he became the most popular Nicaraguan poet after Rubén Darío
. In a series of poetry books, Pallais joined the Modernist
revolution in literature and contributed greatly to its development in the Spanish-speaking world.
Books published during this period include: A la sombra del agua (In the shadow of the water) (1917), Espumas y Estrellas (Foam and stars) (1919) and Caminos (Paths) (1921).
In 1923 Pallais's speech Socialist Words, addressed for the first time in the country the burning social issues of the day from a Christian
perspective. Then in 1927 he published The Book of Evangelical Words, and joined his literary efforts with those of the emerging literary vanguard (Pablo Antonio Cuadra
, José Coronel Urtecho
and Joaquín Pasos
).
In 1928 he published his major work of poetry: Bello Tono Menor (Beautiful Minor Tone), an international success. In 1929 he was made a member of the Nicaraguan Literary Academy. The period between 1930 and 1936 was filled with financial and other hardships. His reputation suffered under the government of Moncada, an old enemy. Nevertheless, he managed to write and publish his Glosas (Comments), a highly politicized critique of the government, in various newspapers throughout Nicaragua.
Upon the accession to power of dictator Anastasio Somoza García
, Pallais initially supported him, then had a major falling out which resulted in the loss of all his privileges. In 1940 he was made a simple parish priest in the port town of Corinto
, 75 miles north of the capital, Managua
, where he remained until his death. His intensive work as a preacher, social activist, protector of the poor and destitute earned him great local admiration. In 1951 he published his last book of poetry: Piraterias (Piracies).
After his death he was enshrined by the literary establishment as one of Nicaraguan poetry’s "Three Great Ones" (the others being Alfonso Cortés
and Salomón de la Selva
).
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
's greatest poets. He was born in León
León, Nicaragua
León is a department in northwestern Nicaragua . It is also the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. It was founded by the Spaniards as Santiago de los Caballeros de León and rivals Granada, Nicaragua, in the number of historic Spanish colonial homes and churches...
. Pallais's father was a medical doctor and his mother was a niece of liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
statesman Maximo Jerez
Máximo Jerez
Máximo Jerez Tellería was a politician, lawyer and military leader in 19th century Nicaragua.He is considered he the greatest Liberal political thinker in Nicaraguan history...
. He was a descendant of Henri Pallais (hence the middle initial H.), a Frenchman who settled in Nicaragua at the turn of the nineteenth century.
Career in the priesthood
In 1900 Pallais joined the San Ramon seminary. In 1905, President ZelayaJosé Santos Zelaya
José Santos Zelaya López was the President of Nicaragua from 25 July 1893 to 21 December 1909.-Early life:He was a son of José María Zelaya Irigoyen, born in Nicaragua, and mistress Juana López Ramírez...
expelled an entire section of the Nicaraguan clergy, including Pallais, then aged 20, who moved to Paris and joined the Saint-Sulpice
Saint-Sulpice (Paris)
Saint-Sulpice is a Roman Catholic church in Paris, France, on the east side of the Place Saint-Sulpice, in the Luxembourg Quarter of the VIe arrondissement. At 113 metres long, 58 metres in width and 34 metres tall, it is only slightly smaller than Notre-Dame and thus the second largest church in...
seminary to continue his theological studies. He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1908. Pallais studied at the Catholic University of Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
The Catholic University of Leuven, or of Louvain, was the largest, oldest and most prominent university in Belgium. The university was founded in 1425 as the University of Leuven by John IV, Duke of Brabant and approved by a Papal bull by Pope Martin V.During France's occupation of Belgium in the...
in Belgium and received a PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
. In 1911 he returned to his hometown of León in Nicaragua. In that same year his preaching scandalized the conservative local clergy, resulting in his suspension a divinis (the gravest canonical
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
sanction) by the bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
. Monsignor Pereira annulled the sanction sometime later that year.
Literary career
Pallais remained in León until 1940, living at his mother’s house in the old La Recoleccion barrioBarrio
Barrio is a Spanish word meaning district or neighborhood.-Usage:In its formal usage in English, barrios are generally considered cohesive places, sharing, for example, a church and traditions such as feast days...
. During that time he became the most popular Nicaraguan poet after Rubén Darío
Rubén Darío
Félix Rubén García Sarmiento , known as Rubén Darío, was a Nicaraguan poet who initiated the Spanish-American literary movement known as modernismo that flourished at the end of the 19th century...
. In a series of poetry books, Pallais joined the Modernist
Modernism
Modernism, in its broadest definition, is modern thought, character, or practice. More specifically, the term describes the modernist movement, its set of cultural tendencies and array of associated cultural movements, originally arising from wide-scale and far-reaching changes to Western society...
revolution in literature and contributed greatly to its development in the Spanish-speaking world.
Books published during this period include: A la sombra del agua (In the shadow of the water) (1917), Espumas y Estrellas (Foam and stars) (1919) and Caminos (Paths) (1921).
In 1923 Pallais's speech Socialist Words, addressed for the first time in the country the burning social issues of the day from a Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
perspective. Then in 1927 he published The Book of Evangelical Words, and joined his literary efforts with those of the emerging literary vanguard (Pablo Antonio Cuadra
Pablo Antonio Cuadra
Pablo Antonio Cuadra was a Nicaraguan essayist, art and literary critic, playwright, graphic artist and one of the most famous poets of Nicaragua.-Early life and career:...
, José Coronel Urtecho
José Coronel Urtecho
José Coronel Urtecho was a Nicaraguan poet, translator, essayist, critic, narrator, playwright, diplomat and historian. He has been described as "the most influential Nicaraguan thinker of the twentieth century"...
and Joaquín Pasos
Joaquín Pasos
Joaquín Pasos was a Nicaraguan poet, narrator, and essayist. He was one of the leading figures of the national Vanguardia literary movement...
).
In 1928 he published his major work of poetry: Bello Tono Menor (Beautiful Minor Tone), an international success. In 1929 he was made a member of the Nicaraguan Literary Academy. The period between 1930 and 1936 was filled with financial and other hardships. His reputation suffered under the government of Moncada, an old enemy. Nevertheless, he managed to write and publish his Glosas (Comments), a highly politicized critique of the government, in various newspapers throughout Nicaragua.
Upon the accession to power of dictator Anastasio Somoza García
Anastasio Somoza García
Anastasio Somoza García was officially the President of Nicaragua from 1 January 1937 to 1 May 1947 and from 21 May 1950 to 29 September 1956, but ruled effectively as dictator from 1936 until his assassination.-Biography:Somoza was born in San Marcos, Carazo Department in Nicaragua, the son of...
, Pallais initially supported him, then had a major falling out which resulted in the loss of all his privileges. In 1940 he was made a simple parish priest in the port town of Corinto
Corinto, Nicaragua
Corinto is a town of 17,000 on the northwest Pacific coast of Nicaragua in the province of Chinandega. The municipality was founded in 1863 and was named in honour of the Greek city of Corinth.- Economy :...
, 75 miles north of the capital, Managua
Managua
Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in...
, where he remained until his death. His intensive work as a preacher, social activist, protector of the poor and destitute earned him great local admiration. In 1951 he published his last book of poetry: Piraterias (Piracies).
After his death he was enshrined by the literary establishment as one of Nicaraguan poetry’s "Three Great Ones" (the others being Alfonso Cortés
Alfonso Cortés
Alfonso Cortés was a Nicaraguan poet. He is often referred to as the most important poet after Rubén Darío. Before his death, he often said he was "less important than Darío, but more profound".-Early life:...
and Salomón de la Selva
Salomón de la Selva
Salomón de la Selva born in León Nicaragua on March 20, 1893 and died in Paris, France on February 5, 1959 was a Nicaraguan poet and honorary member of the Mexican Academy of Language.-Biography:...
).