Félix Luna
Encyclopedia
Félix Luna was a prominent Argentine writer, lyricist and historian.
to a family originally from La Rioja Province
, in 1925. A grandfather had founded the La Rioja chapter of the newly-established centrist Radical Civic Union
(UCR) in 1892, and an uncle, Pelagio Luna
, had been Vice President of Argentina for President Hipólito Yrigoyen
, between 1916 and 1919. He enrolled at the University of Buenos Aires
and earned a law degree in 1951. He was first published in 1954, with his biographical work, Yrigoyen. Opposed, as most in the UCR were, to the populist President Juan Perón
, his 1955 overthrow
led to Luna's appointment as Director of the Ministry of Labor's Employee Benefits Plan in 1956. Luna received his first literary prize in 1957 for his period tale, La fusilación (The Firing Squad); set in the nineteenth century, the work followed the controversial 1956 execution of General Juan José Valle
and 27 others. This was followed by a biography of Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear
, Yrigoyen's chief rival within the UCR, in 1958.
He taught as Professor of the History of Institutions at his alma mater's Law School between 1963 and 1976, and Contemporary History Professor at the private University of Belgrano
between 1967 and 1986. Continuing to write, some of his best-known works from this period were Los caudillos, a look at provincial strongmen of the 19th and early 20th centuries (1966), El 45, referring to the pivotal year 1945 in Argentina (1968), and Argentina: de Perón a Lanusse, an overview of the tumultuous generation between Perón's 1945 advent and 1973.
Luna collaborated with pianist and composer Ariel Ramírez
as a lyricist
for what arguably became the best-known work for either man: the Misa Criolla (Creole Mass), in 1964. This joint success was followed by Mujeres Argentinas (Argentine Women), in 1969, among whose themes Alfonsina y el mar (an ode to the ill-fated poet Alfonsina Storni
) became particularly well-known. Ramírez and Luna were joined by traditional folklore vocalist Mercedes Sosa
for Cantata Sudamericana, a 1972 album which made the latter an iconic figure in the music of Argentina
.
As a historian, Luna sought to make the subject approachable to the public at large, contributing weekly editorials on current events in that context for Clarín
, the country's leading newspaper, between 1964 and 1973, and as host of Hilando nuestra historia (Weaving Our History), an educational radio program, between 1977 and 1982, as well as numerous other radio and television specials on the subject. Offering up biographies on Presidents Roberto Ortiz
(1978) and Julio Roca (Soy Roca, 1989), a comprehensive trilogy on the Perón years, and the pocket Breve historia de los argentinos
(Brief History of the Argentines, 1993), among other books, he became known for his narrative style and pragmatic viewpoint on contentious events.
He founded an Argentine history monthly Todo es Historia (Everything is History), in 1967, and continued to direct the prestigious publication right until his death. Luna has been honored with numerous Konex Award
s, the highest distinctions in the Argentine cultural realm, since 1984 for his work as a historian, biographer and lyricist, as well as a French Ordre national du Mérite
in 1988, and similar distinctions from Brazil
, Chile
and Perú
. He was Secretary of Culture for the city of Buenos Aires in 1986–89, and was named an Illustrious Citizen thereof, in 1996. He died in Buenos Aires on November 5, 2009.
Life and times
Luna was born in Buenos AiresBuenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
to a family originally from La Rioja Province
La Rioja Province (Argentina)
La Rioja is a one of the provinces of Argentina and is located in the west of the country. Neighboring provinces are from the north clockwise Catamarca, Córdoba, San Luis and San Juan.-History:...
, in 1925. A grandfather had founded the La Rioja chapter of the newly-established centrist Radical Civic Union
Radical Civic Union
The Radical Civic Union is a political party in Argentina. The party's positions on issues range from liberal to social democratic. The UCR is a member of the Socialist International. Founded in 1891 by radical liberals, it is the oldest political party active in Argentina...
(UCR) in 1892, and an uncle, Pelagio Luna
Pelagio Luna
Pelagio B. Luna was an Argentine politician of the Radical Civic Union. He reached the post of Vice President in 1916....
, had been Vice President of Argentina for President Hipólito Yrigoyen
Hipólito Yrigoyen
Juan Hipólito del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Irigoyen Alem was twice President of Argentina . His activism became the prime impetus behind the obtainment of universal suffrage in Argentina in 1912...
, between 1916 and 1919. He enrolled at the University of Buenos Aires
University of Buenos Aires
The University of Buenos Aires is the largest university in Argentina and the largest university by enrollment in Latin America. Founded on August 12, 1821 in the city of Buenos Aires, it consists of 13 faculties, 6 hospitals, 10 museums and is linked to 4 high schools: Colegio Nacional de Buenos...
and earned a law degree in 1951. He was first published in 1954, with his biographical work, Yrigoyen. Opposed, as most in the UCR were, to the populist President Juan Perón
Juan Perón
Juan Domingo Perón was an Argentine military officer, and politician. Perón was three times elected as President of Argentina though he only managed to serve one full term, after serving in several government positions, including the Secretary of Labor and the Vice Presidency...
, his 1955 overthrow
Revolución Libertadora
The Revolución Libertadora was a military uprising that ended the second presidential term of Juan Perón in Argentina, on September 16, 1955.-History:...
led to Luna's appointment as Director of the Ministry of Labor's Employee Benefits Plan in 1956. Luna received his first literary prize in 1957 for his period tale, La fusilación (The Firing Squad); set in the nineteenth century, the work followed the controversial 1956 execution of General Juan José Valle
Juan José Valle
Juan José Valle was an Argentine military who headed a rebellion in 1956 against General Aramburu's dictatorship....
and 27 others. This was followed by a biography of Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear
Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear
Máximo Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear Pacheco , better known as Marcelo T. de Alvear was an Argentine politician and President of Argentina from October 12, 1922 to October 12, 1928.-Biography:...
, Yrigoyen's chief rival within the UCR, in 1958.
He taught as Professor of the History of Institutions at his alma mater's Law School between 1963 and 1976, and Contemporary History Professor at the private University of Belgrano
University of Belgrano
The University of Belgrano is a private university established in 1964 and located in the Belgrano district of the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina.It has 9 Departments:*Architecture and Urban Planning*Law and Political Science*Economics*Humanities...
between 1967 and 1986. Continuing to write, some of his best-known works from this period were Los caudillos, a look at provincial strongmen of the 19th and early 20th centuries (1966), El 45, referring to the pivotal year 1945 in Argentina (1968), and Argentina: de Perón a Lanusse, an overview of the tumultuous generation between Perón's 1945 advent and 1973.
Ariel Ramirez
Ariel Ramírez was an Argentine composer, pianist and music director. He was considered "a chief exponent of Argentine folk music" and noted for his "iconic" musical compositions....
as a lyricist
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
for what arguably became the best-known work for either man: the Misa Criolla (Creole Mass), in 1964. This joint success was followed by Mujeres Argentinas (Argentine Women), in 1969, among whose themes Alfonsina y el mar (an ode to the ill-fated poet Alfonsina Storni
Alfonsina Storni
Alfonsina Storni was one of the most important Latin-American poets of the modernist period.-Life:Storni was born in Sala Capriasca, Switzerland to an Argentine beer industrialist living in Switzerland for a few years. There, Storni learned to speak Italian...
) became particularly well-known. Ramírez and Luna were joined by traditional folklore vocalist Mercedes Sosa
Mercedes Sosa
Haydée Mercedes Sosa, known as La Negra, was an Argentine singer who was popular throughout South America and some countries outside the continent. With her roots in Argentine folk music, Sosa became one of the preeminent exponents of nueva canción. She gave voice to songs written by both...
for Cantata Sudamericana, a 1972 album which made the latter an iconic figure in the music of Argentina
Music of Argentina
The music of Argentina is known mostly for the tango, which developed in Buenos Aires and surrounding areas, as well as Montevideo, Uruguay. Folk, pop and classical music are also popular, and Argentine artists like Mercedes Sosa and Atahualpa Yupanqui contributed greatly to the development of the...
.
As a historian, Luna sought to make the subject approachable to the public at large, contributing weekly editorials on current events in that context for Clarín
Clarín (newspaper)
Clarín is the largest newspaper in Argentina, published by the Grupo Clarín media group. It was founded by Roberto Noble on 28 August 1945. It is politically centrist but popularly understood to oppose the Kirchner government...
, the country's leading newspaper, between 1964 and 1973, and as host of Hilando nuestra historia (Weaving Our History), an educational radio program, between 1977 and 1982, as well as numerous other radio and television specials on the subject. Offering up biographies on Presidents Roberto Ortiz
Roberto Ortíz
Roberto Ortíz is an undefeated Mexican boxer in the Light Welterweight division and is the current WBA Fedecaribe Light Welterweight Champion.-External links:...
(1978) and Julio Roca (Soy Roca, 1989), a comprehensive trilogy on the Perón years, and the pocket Breve historia de los argentinos
Breve historia de los Argentinos
Breve historia de los Argentinos is a book written by Argentine historian Félix Luna. It was published in 1993 by Grupo Editorial Planeta, reedited many times, and translated to English and Portuguese...
(Brief History of the Argentines, 1993), among other books, he became known for his narrative style and pragmatic viewpoint on contentious events.
He founded an Argentine history monthly Todo es Historia (Everything is History), in 1967, and continued to direct the prestigious publication right until his death. Luna has been honored with numerous Konex Award
Konex Award
Konex Foundation awards, or simple Konex awards are cultural awards from the Konex Foundation to Argentine cultural personalities.Created in 1980, where conceived as a way to reward the Argentine personalities and institutions of different fields, as well as to stimulate the beginners.Even though...
s, the highest distinctions in the Argentine cultural realm, since 1984 for his work as a historian, biographer and lyricist, as well as a French Ordre national du Mérite
Ordre National du Mérite
The Ordre national du Mérite is an Order of State awarded by the President of the French Republic. It was founded on 3 December 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle...
in 1988, and similar distinctions from Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
and Perú
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
. He was Secretary of Culture for the city of Buenos Aires in 1986–89, and was named an Illustrious Citizen thereof, in 1996. He died in Buenos Aires on November 5, 2009.