Ernesto Cardenal read his poetry at the Benson Collection on November 15, 2016. Photo: Travis Willmann.
In spring 2016, José Montelongo, librarian at the Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection, visited the home of Father Ernesto Cardenal in Managua, Nicaragua. The occasion was the recent acquisition of Father Cardenal’s personal papers, an archive that now resides at the Benson. In these excerpts from Montelongo’s conversation with the famous poet, priest, and political activist, Cardenal talks about poetry, science, and religion, about the famous poetry workshops he helped create, about the successes and failures of the Nicaraguan Revolution, and more.
This video is in Spanish with English subtitles. View it at Ernesto Cardenal Entrevista / Interview.
The Ernesto Cardenal Papers at the Benson Collection can be used by visitors in the library’s Rare Books and Manuscripts reading room.
