Surrounded by their loved ones and in their native Peru, the Nobel Prize for Literature Mario Vargas Llosa He died last Sunday, April 13, a fact that has caused weighing in the world literary community.
Through social networks, the writer’s children announced his departure and detailed that he left precise instructions on how to proceed with his funeral, tribute and resting place.
The announcement was made by Álvaro Vargas Llosa, son of the author, who wrote: “With deep pain, we make public that our father, Mario Vargas Llosa, has died today in Lima, surrounded by his family and peace.”
Álvaro communicated that same day that the preparations for the novelist’s funeral would be carried out according to his express wishes.
While his followers, lovers of literature and country authorities regret the loss of writer and seek ways to pay tribute, the family reported that there will be no public ceremony.
“No public ceremony will take place,” said one of the children, stressing that the writer wanted an intimate farewell, in the company of his family and closest friends.
“Our mother, our children and ourselves trust to have the space and privacy to fire him as a family and in the company of close friends,” adds the statement.
Despite this, numerous author’s admirers have come to his residence in the Bohemio District Lima de Barranco to pay tribute. The family expressed their gratitude and wanted them to find comfort, like them, knowing that Vargas Llosa had “a long, multiple and fruitful life, and leaves behind him a work that will survive him.”
The Nobel, who had turned 89 last March, also requested that his body be incinerated, an act that the family will carry out in the next few days.
Peru in national duel
International media reported that one of the personalities that went to the writer’s intimate wake on Monday was the president of Peru, Dina Boluarte.
Accompanied by her cabinet of ministers, the president expressed her condolences to the family of Mario Vargas Llosa, after declaring National Duel Day for the author’s death, whom she described as “a universal recognition figure whose work has contributed to the fact that Peruvian literature and culture be recognized worldwide, strengthening the image of Peru internationally.”
As reported by the EFE agency, the Peruvian Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén, highlighted before local media that the Government will respect the writer’s will and coordinate with the family all aspects related to his farewell.
“Peru has lost one of its best men”
The author’s eldest son, Álvaro Vargas Llosa, gave statements to the press gathered in front of the writer’s house, in the Lima district of Barranco. “I have nothing else to say that Peru has lost one of his best men, and we are infinitely dear that we are going to miss,” he said moved.
Subsequently, Álvaro Vargas asked the media and the followers who were on the outskirts of the home to be withdrawn, in order to respect the author’s will to be fired in an intimate and private ceremony, as his wish had been. This was reported by various international media.
– Álvaro Vargas Llosa (@alvarovargasll) March 29, 2025