Arístides Vargas (Córdoba, Argentina, 1954) is an acclaimed Argentine-Ecuadorian playwright, whose work delves into the profound impact of exile. Forced to flee to Ecuador in 1975 at 20, escaping persecution by the Triple A, he found solace in theater. Vargas co-founded Malayerba in 1979, providing a haven for fellow exiles. His plays, over 20 in total, explore the trauma of violence and displacement through surreal, non-realistic narratives infused with elements like playfulness, forgetfulness, dreams, and somnambulism. Vargas blends nostalgia with humor, celebrating laughter as a healing force. In 2021, directors staged his works, showcasing his ability to address exile and Latin America’s history universally. His contributions continue to illuminate collective memory and historical understanding.
Introduction
Arístides Vargas, a prominent Argentine-Ecuadorian playwright, stands as a testament to the power of art to transcend personal hardship and give voice to collective experiences. His life and work encapsulate the struggles, trauma, and resilience of those who have been uprooted from their homelands. In this essay, we delve into the multifaceted journey of Arístides Vargas, exploring his early life, education, career, personal life, awards, and enduring impact on the world of theater.
Early Life and Education
Arístides Vargas was born in Córdoba, Argentina, in 1954, into a world that would soon be marred by political turmoil and repression. His early years were marked by a passion for the arts, particularly theater, which would become his refuge and means of expression in the tumultuous years to come. Vargas’s formative years were spent exploring the power of storytelling, which would later define his career.
Career and Exile
The turning point in Vargas’s life occurred in 1975 when, at the age of 20, he was forced into exile in Ecuador due to the persecutions of the Triple A, a right-wing death squad in Argentina. Little did he know that this painful journey would shape the course of his artistic endeavors. In 1976, Argentina descended into the darkest chapter of its history with the onset of the military dictatorship, marking the beginning of a brutal period of state terrorism.
Exile, however, did not silence Vargas; it amplified his voice. In Ecuador, he found both refuge and inspiration. Here, he founded the Malayerba theater group in 1979, alongside fellow artists Charo Francés and Susana Pautaso. Malayerba was more than a theater company; it was a sanctuary for exiles, a place where bonds were formed, and where the collective trauma of displacement found expression through the art of storytelling.
Vargas’s career as a playwright and director blossomed during his time with Malayerba. Over the years, the group produced over 20 plays, each a poignant exploration of the anguish caused by violence, loss of identity, and the human experience of exile. His works are characterized by surrealism, non-realistic elements, and a poetic narrative style that invites audiences to confront the profound emotions associated with exile.
Personal Life and Artistic Philosophy
Vargas’s personal life became deeply intertwined with his artistic pursuits. In Ecuador, he met actress Charo Francés, who not only became his life partner but also a creative collaborator in Malayerba. Their relationship and shared experiences of exile added depth to their artistic endeavors, creating a unique synergy that enriched their work.
One of the hallmarks of Vargas’s artistic philosophy is his belief in the power of theater to confront trauma and explore the human condition. He describes himself as a dramatist who writes about trauma, using his own experiences and those of fellow exiles as a foundation. Vargas employs elements such as play, forgetfulness, dreams, and somnambulism to convey the pain of violence and displacement. In his works, humor and nostalgia intermingle with profound themes, underscoring the healing potential of laughter in the face of adversity.
Awards and Recognition
Arístides Vargas’s contributions to the world of theater have not gone unnoticed. In 2010, he received the Joaquín Gallegos Lara National Prize in the theater category. In 2012, he was awarded the prestigious “El Gallo de La Habana” (The Rooster of Havana) award, a testament to his impact on Latin American theater. His ability to tackle the themes of exile and recent Latin American history with universal resonance, devoid of didacticism, has earned him acclaim from both audiences and fellow artists.
Conclusion
Arístides Vargas’s life and work encapsulate the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of art. Forced into exile by political turmoil, he turned his personal trauma into a vehicle for storytelling, giving voice to the experiences of countless others who shared his fate. Through the Malayerba theater group, he created a space where exiles could heal and collectively explore their shared pain.
Vargas’s plays, characterized by their surrealism and poetic narrative style, continue to resonate with audiences, transcending borders and time to convey the enduring impact of exile and the importance of laughter in the face of adversity. His journey from a young artist in Argentina to an acclaimed playwright in Ecuador stands as a testament to the power of art to transform personal pain into universal stories of resilience and hope.
Works
- La Razón Blindada
- Danzón Park, o la maravillosa historia del héroe
- Dramaturgia desde el mar
- Nuestra Señora de las nubes
- La canción de la liebre
- El último tren a Treblinka
- Vengo del sol
- El rincón de la tristeza