Aitana Alberti León, a renowned poet, author, and cultural advocate, passed away on Tuesday, June 30, in Havana at the age of 84. This was confirmed by Cuban state media and the Dulce María Loynaz Cultural Center, where she dedicated over fifteen years of her career.
She was the daughter of the acclaimed Spanish poet Rafael Alberti and writer María Teresa León, both pivotal figures of the Generation of '27 who spent decades in exile following the fall of the Republic during the Spanish Civil War.
Born in Buenos Aires in 1941, Aitana's early life was marked by her parents' journey through exile, which took them from France to Argentina and later to Italy. In 1984, she settled permanently in Cuba, where she lived for the remainder of her life.
In Havana, she named her home "Pleamar", as a tribute to her father's first book of poems, transforming it into a gathering place for artists and intellectuals.
The Cultural Legacy of Aitana Alberti
For over fifteen years, Aitana was an integral part of the Dulce María Loynaz Cultural Center, founding and leading "Fe de vida: Imagen y palabra", a forum dedicated to promoting the works of Generation of '27 poets in Cuba.
She also led the Rafael Alberti Chair at the University of Havana, the Cultural South Project—which spans 30 cities across Europe and the Americas—and the Havana International Poetry Festival, one of the most significant poetry events in Latin America.
Extensive Literary Contributions
Her literary works include several poetry collections: "Poemas de Aitana Alberti" (1955), "Pupila al viento" (1998), "Y de nuevo nacer" (1999), and "Amazona en la centella" (2016).
In prose, she authored "Inquilinos de la soledad" (2006), a tribute to the exiles of the Spanish Civil War, and "Cuentos persas" (2018), along with her memoir "La arboleda compartida", which recounts her life with her parents and includes pages dedicated to Cuban writer Dulce María Loynaz.
Her writings have been translated into several languages, including German, Polish, Russian, Romanian, and Italian.
Honoring a Legacy
In 2009, she awarded the Rafael Alberti Prize to Cuban poet Carilda Oliver Labra, and in 2011, she presided over the 16th Havana International Poetry Festival alongside poets Pablo Armando Fernández and Nancy Morejón.
Aitana Alberti represented one of the last direct connections between Spain's Generation of '27 and contemporary Cuban literary culture.
The Granma newspaper paid tribute to her, noting that she leaves "an immense void in Cuban culture" and will be remembered as "a tireless advocate for poetry, memory, peace, and cross-cultural dialogue."
Understanding Aitana Alberti's Impact on Cuban Culture
Who were Aitana Alberti's parents?
Aitana Alberti was the daughter of renowned Spanish poet Rafael Alberti and writer María Teresa León, both significant figures of the Generation of '27.
What was "Pleamar" in Aitana Alberti's life?
"Pleamar" was the name Aitana Alberti gave to her home in Havana, as a tribute to her father's first poetry collection. It became a hub for artists and intellectuals.
What role did Aitana Alberti play at the Dulce María Loynaz Cultural Center?
Aitana Alberti was a key figure at the Dulce María Loynaz Cultural Center for over fifteen years, where she founded and led a forum to promote the works of Generation of '27 poets in Cuba.