Vicente Quirarte, poet, essayist, narrator, playwright, academic and literary critic, has died, leaving a profound legacy in Mexican literature. Quirarte was described as a key figure in the study of contemporary Mexican literature and as a noble and generous man who touched the lives of those who knew him.
UNAM, his alma mater, organised a tribute in his honour two years ago when he turned 70. On that occasion, dozens of academics, intellectuals and authorities, including rector Leonardo Lomelí, took part in an event lasting several days that showed the affection, admiration and respect that Quirarte had earned throughout his life at the institution where he was a student, teacher, researcher and official.
Quirarte participated for years in literary gatherings that began in 1998 at the home of José Rogelio Álvarez, meetings that remained active. During those gatherings he developed a close friendship based on shared love for the old Mexico City, his area of origin. They undertook several walks through the Historic Centre, including a 2012 walk that followed the route described in the Latin Dialogues of Francisco Cervantes de Salazar, the city's first chronicler, the results of which were published in the book 1554 México 2012.
Beyond his work as poet, essayist and critic, Quirarte was a prominent chronicler of Mexico City. His works include La Invencible, about the death of his father, and Luz armada, with memories of his mother, as well as Literary Biography of Mexico City, 1850-1992. In his writing he wove together history, narrative, poetry and essay with the emotion and intimate perception of the chronicler, reflecting the life and mentality of past eras in the heart of the nation.