Edmundo Aray

Born 16 November 1936 in Maracay, Venezuela

Died 26 June 2019 (aged 82)

Poet, critic, filmmaker and cultural promoter. He belonged to the literary groups Sardio (1956-1962) and Techo de la Ballena (1963-1968). Creator of the magazine Rocinante (1969-1978). Founder in 1974 of the Committee of Filmmakers of Latin America. He was also a founding member of the Foundation of New Latin American Cinema and its Superior and Directive councils. He served as general director of the International School of Film and Television of San Antonio de los Baños, Cuba (2000-2002). He obtained recognition as a storyteller in the contests of El Universal (1957) and the Central University of Venezuela (1958). His most notable collections of poetry include: Los invitados en el tiempo (The Guests in Time) (1958), Nadie quieres descansar (Nobody Wants to Rest) (1961), Cambio de soles (Change of Suns) (1968), Cantata del monte sagrado (Sacred Mountain Cantata) (1983) and Laberinto de amor (Poetic Anthology 1991-2006). As a filmmaker, he won the Best Film and Best Screenplay award from the Libertador Municipal Council (1994) and the National Prize (1991).