Horacio Vázquez-Rial Plaque

Did Horacio Vázquez-Rial ever imagine a plaque would mark his Madrid home? Here at Avenida de Filipinas, 50, the Horacio Vázquez-Rial Plaque commemorates the writer and journalist who lived and died within these walls. The plaque, installed by the city of Madrid in 2013, serves as a testament to Vázquez-Rial’s connection to the city. He made Madrid his home from 2008 until his death in 2012. The Horacio Vázquez-Rial Plaque reminds us that this was where he penned some of his most impactful works. Born in Buenos Aires in 1947 to Spanish emigrants, Vázquez-Rial’s life was marked by exile and return. His leftist activism forced him to flee Argentina in 1974, only returning twelve years later. He pursued studies in Medieval History and earned a doctorate in Human Geography from the University of Barcelona. Barcelona, a city he cherished, was his home until 2008 when he moved to Madrid. While he began his literary journey with poetry, publishing “Juegos del archipiélago” in 1965 and “Los borrachos en el cementerio” fourteen years later, it was his novels that truly captivated audiences. A finalist for the Nadal Prize in 1986 with “Historia del Triste” and the Plaza & Janés Prize in 1989 with “La reina de oros,” Vázquez-Rial went on to win the Fernando Quiñones Prize in 2003 for “La capital del olvido.” The Horacio Vázquez-Rial Plaque stands as a symbol of his literary achievements. His works, including “Las dos muertes de Gardel,” “El maestro de los ángeles,” and the biographical novel “El soldado de porcelana” about musician and Republican soldier Gustavo Durán, further cemented his place in the literary world. Other notable novels like “Frontera sur,” adapted into a film by Gerardo Herrero, “La isla in\u00fatil,” and “Los últimos tiempos” showcased his versatility as a writer. Vázquez-Rial also contributed essays, notably “La izquierda reaccionaria,” reflecting his evolving political thought. A regular contributor to major Spanish newspapers like ABC, El País, and El Mundo, as well as online publications like Libertad Digital and Diario de América, Vázquez-Rial’s voice resonated across various platforms. The Horacio Vázquez-Rial Plaque honors a life dedicated to words, to exploring the complexities of history and identity, and to engaging with the political landscape of his time. His legacy continues to inspire, prompting us to reflect on the power of storytelling and the enduring impact of a writer’s words.