Sergio Ramírez: “These years of exile have been a struggle to cling to my language, not to lose it”

Sergio Ramírez, the 84-year-old Nicaraguan writer and former Sandinist leader, has become the latest member of the Real Academia Española (RAE) after being inducted on 2023. The prestigious honor, which saw Ramírez take the seat L vacated by the renowned Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa, was met with much celebration. In his acceptance speech, titled "An Ecumenical Novelist," Ramírez reflected on his life as he navigated the twists and turns of his journey.

Ramírez, who traces his origins back to Masatepe, Nicaragua, and spent his life traversing the peaks and valleys of his experiences, remarked on the profound impact that the Spanish language has had on his existence. He described himself as "acogido, amparado, reconfortado," under the assurance that his linguistic heritage has not been lost amidst the many upheavals of his life.

In reciting verses from Homer's "The Iliad" in verse, Ramírez drew a parallel between his own life and the epic poem. Born in 1939, he was present during the turbulent era of Nicaragua's Sandinista revolution, serving as an exiled leader in Spain since 2021. However, in 2023, the Ortega regime stripped him of his Nicaraguan nationality.

As he joined the esteemed ranks of the RAE, Ramírez dedicated his speech to Vargas Llosa, expressing gratitude for the mentorship they shared over the years. The admission of Ramírez into the RAE marks another milestone in the legacy of the Spanish language, as it continues to evolve and be enriched by the voices of its diverse members.