Description

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Based on a true story, "Saved by a Poem" (Includes Fecha Feliz: Spanish/Guarani version) takes place in the countryside of Paraguay around 1978, when General Alfredo Stroessner was in power. In the play, Mariana does the unthinkable to save the life of her only son from dictator Stroessner. According to several news outlet around the world, this book is nomminated for the 2010 Nobel Prize of Literature Award.

About the Author

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Nestor Amarilla was born on the 24th of July 1980 to a farming family in the country town of Coronel Oviedo, Paraguay. Since he was a little boy he has been very interested in the arts. Nestor was exchanging languages with a Peace Corps volunteer at 13, when he began to write a newsletter, Kokue Poty (The Farm's Flower), directed at the farmers of the area. At 17 he won the AFS exchange program full scholarship, to attend Fridley High School in Minnesota. At 20 he received the Wallin Foundation grant to attend Metropolitan State University. Five years later he graduated from the same institution as Outstanding Student of the College of Arts and Sciences with degrees in Dramatic Arts and Communications. Nestor writes in English, Spanish and Guarani. Some of his plays are: Americana Rose, Ripped Dress, La Pruebera Makes a Good Day, (Produced in 2004 and 2005 by Metropolitan State University, Minneapolis, MN), Vestido Roto (Produced in 2005 at Teatro de las Americas in Asuncion), Born in Iraq, (Produced in 2006 at Mixed Blood Theater, Minneapolis, MN), Saved by a Poem (First produced in 2006 at Minneapolis Intermedia Art by Teatro del Pueblo, and its Spanish version Fecha Feliz produced in 2009 at Teatro Latino in Asuncion.)