Elsy Santillán Flor
Elsy Santillán Flor | |
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| Born | December 23, 1957 Quito |
| Nationality | Ecuadorian |
| Citizenship | Ecuadorian |
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| Years active | 1987—present |
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Elsy Santillán Flor (Quito; December 23, 1957) is an Ecuadorian poet and short story writer.[1] She is a Doctor of Jurisprudence and a Lawyer in the Courts of Ecuador. She is the author of 28 published books in different literary genres such as fiction, poetry, children's fiction, youth novels and theater. Other books include: “The Fears Together”, “The Fictions of Solitude”, “Drops of Wax in the Ashes”, “Furtive Forgotten Vibrations”, “Of Fears and Minutias”, “Algaradas”, “Tiniebla Trece”, “In the Other Caves of the Night”, “Imperfect Dance”, in theater, etc. It appears in national and foreign anthologies of short stories and poetry. Partially translated into English, Hungarian, French and Bulgarian. Elsy is co-author of the anthology CANTO PLANETARIO: BROTHERHOOD ON EARTH, Volume I, compiled by Carlos Javier Jarquín, (H.C EDITORES, Amazon.com 2023).[2]
Early life and education
Elsy Santillán Flor was born on December 23, 1957, in Quito, Ecuador. She was raised in the historic center of the city, an environment rich in cultural heritage and colonial architecture. Her mother, María Elena Flor Vásconez, played a significant role in shaping her literary inclinations, fostering a deep love for literature from an early age. Santillán Flor grew up surrounded by an extensive family library, a treasured collection inherited from her grandfather, which introduced her to classic and contemporary works.
By the age of twelve, she had already read much of Agatha Christie's work, marking the beginning of her fascination with mystery and suspense literature. Her exposure to a wide range of literary genres during childhood laid the foundation for her future career as a writer. Despite her early passion for literature, she pursued a formal education in law, obtaining a doctorate in jurisprudence and becoming a lawyer in Ecuadorian courts. However, alongside her legal profession, she remained deeply committed to writing, eventually becoming one of Ecuador’s most recognized contemporary authors.
Career
Elsy Santillán Flor has established herself as a prominent figure in Ecuadorian literature, writing across multiple genres, including poetry, fiction, theater, and children's literature. Her early fascination with storytelling, particularly in the genres of horror and the supernatural, was influenced by a childhood experience in which she believed she had encountered a ghost. This formative moment sparked a lifelong interest in the fantastic and eerie, which would later become defining elements of her literary work.
In 1999, Santillán Flor was elected Secretary of the Ecuadorian Society of Writers (SEDE), where she contributed to the promotion and recognition of Ecuadorian literature. Her short fiction has been widely studied both in Ecuador and internationally, and her works have been translated into Hungarian and French, expanding her literary reach beyond Latin America.
Among her notable works is the short story collection Los miedos juntos (2009), which explores themes of fear, psychological turmoil, and societal decay. In 2021, she published La aventura fantasmagórica del grupo 21 (The Phantasmagorical Adventure of Group 21),[3] a horror novel blending nostalgia and supernatural elements, aimed at young readers. In addition to her fiction, she has also been recognized for her poetry, particularly En las cuevas ajenas de la noche (1998), where she delves into themes of existentialism, human experience, and philosophy.[4]
Santillán Flor's contributions to Ecuadorian theater have also been acknowledged, with one of her plays receiving honorable mention at the Joaquín Gallegos Lara Prize in 2011. Her literary achievements have earned her several prestigious accolades, including the Jorge Luis Borges National Prize (1995) and the Pablo Palacio Prize (1997). In 2012, she was also a co-recipient of the Casa de Escritores y Poetas de Brittany Prize.
Despite her legal background, Santillán Flor has remained deeply committed to literature, carving out a unique voice in Ecuadorian horror and fantasy literature. Her work continues to be studied, celebrated, and referenced in literary circles both within Ecuador and abroad.
Participation in festivals
Elsy Santillán Flor has been an active participant in literary festivals and cultural events, both in Ecuador and internationally. Her work has been showcased at numerous book fairs, poetry readings, and literary conferences, where she has engaged with audiences, scholars, and fellow writers.
She has participated in the International Book Fair of Quito, one of Ecuador’s most significant literary events, where she has presented her works and taken part in discussions on contemporary Ecuadorian literature. Additionally, her contributions to the horror and fantasy genres have led to her involvement in specialized literary festivals focusing on speculative fiction and the supernatural.
Beyond Ecuador, Santillán Flor has represented Ecuadorian literature at international literary gatherings, including events in Latin America and Europe. Her presence at these festivals has helped to promote Ecuadorian literature on a global scale, with her works being translated and studied in various linguistic and cultural contexts.
Her participation in literary events has not only reinforced her influence as a writer but has also contributed to the visibility of Ecuadorian horror and fantasy literature, a field in which she has played a pioneering role.
Membership
Elsy Santillán Flor has been an active member of various literary and cultural organizations throughout her career. From 1999 to 2002, she served as the secretary of the Ecuadorian Society of Writers (SEDE), a prestigious institution dedicated to promoting literature and supporting Ecuadorian authors. Her involvement in SEDE allowed her to collaborate with fellow writers, organize literary events, and contribute to the development of Ecuador's literary landscape.[5]
In addition to SEDE, Santillán Flor has been affiliated with Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana, an institution that fosters artistic and literary expression in Ecuador. Through this organization, she has participated in numerous readings, workshops, and cultural discussions, helping to elevate Ecuadorian literature both nationally and internationally.[6]
Her contributions to horror and fantasy literature have also connected her with international literary circles. She has engaged with writers' networks and associations that focus on speculative fiction, further establishing her reputation beyond Ecuador.[7]
Santillán Flor's memberships in these organizations have played a key role in her literary career, enabling her to share her expertise, mentor emerging writers, and advocate for Ecuadorian literature on a broader scale.
Adult narrative
- “Of butterflies, mirrors and dreams” Stories. 1987
- “Of horrors and minutiae.” Stories. 1992
- “Sneaky forgotten vibrations.” Stories. 1993
- “Drops of wax in the ashes.” Stories. 1998
- Fears Together. 124 Stories.
- The fictions of loneliness, Stories, 2010
- Algaradas, Stories, 2017.
- Nightmare spaces, seven tales of terror, 2021
- Phantasmagorical adventure of “Grupo21”, novel, 2021
Novel
- Phantasmagorical adventure of “Grupo21”, 2021.
Poetry
- “In the strange caves of the night.” Poetry. 1997
- Edges in the new time. Poetry. 2013
- Song of the Unjust, Poetry, 2017
- Banned trifles, Poetry. 2023
- Liberation, Poetry, 2025
Theater
- Imperfect dance. Theater, 2010
- Dinner for stupid people. Theater, 2010
Children's and youth narrative
- “The twelve rooms of magic”, Youth novel. 2000. Electronic book. Physical book, 2019, Second edition.
- Marvelous Agustín, album book, 2000. Electronic book. 2019, Second edition, Physical book 2019
- Happiness, Children's Poetry, 2023
- Sanctuary of Angels, Children's Poetry, 2023
- Arrived with the wind, twelve children's stories, 2023
- Five scary ones, five children's stories, 2023, Electronic books:
- Dark Thirteen, Stories, 2014. Amazon
- Nightmare spaces, seven horror stories, El Ángel Editor, Electric Ángel collection, 2021.
- Three croquettes, two whiskas and a flower, 2024
In collective
- WISHES 1. Quito, 1993
- WISHES 2. Ibiza, Spain, 2000
- The certainty of the omens. Five Ecuadorian storytellers. 2011
- Symphony of Salt, E. Santillán/Raquel Lanseros. Poetry. Two Wings Collection, 2015
Collectively she is co-author of the books:
- WISHES 1. Quito, 1993
- WISHES 2. Ibiza, Spain, 2000
- The certainty of the omens. Five Ecuadorian storytellers. 2011
- Symphony of Salt, Elsy Santillán/Raquel Lanseros. Poetry. Two Wings Collection, 2015. El Ángel editor.
- PLANETARY SONG: BROTHERHOOD ON EARTH, Volume I, compilation by Carlos Javier Jarquín, (H.C EDITORES, Amazon.com 2023).
- The unique poem, The editor angel, various authors, 2024
- WISHES 3. Poetry. Quito, 2025
Recognitions
- “Jorge Luis Borges” National Award. 1995
- “Pablo Palacio” National Award. 1998
- Honorable Mention of the “Joaquín Gallegos Lara” Award for the best work published in Theater. Quito Metropolitan Council, 2011
- Collective award from the International House of Writers and Poets of Brittany and the Rocío Durán-Barba Foundation, Paris, 2012 - 2013
Gallery
Elsy Santillán Flor during the presentation in Quito, Ecuador, of her four books: HAPPINESS, SANTUARIO DE LOS ANGELES, FIVE FEARS and LEGÓ CON EL VENTÓ. Photo: June, 2023. Photo taken from Elsy Santillán Flor's Facebook wall.
Xavier Oquendo, Ana Cecilia Blum, María Ángeles Pérez López, María Aveiga and Elsy in the auditorium of the university of Salamanca, Spain doing a poetry recital. Photo/ 2014.
Elsy Santillán Flor (left), with the Ecuadorian poets Ana Cecilia Blum and María Aveiga. In the main square of Salamanca, Spain. Photo: 2014
Elsy Santillán, at the National Culture Fund in Quito, along with the poets Yanquilé Hidalgo, Cuban, Valeria Muñoz and Margarita Laso, Ecuadorian singer and poet.
Francisco Fernando Ron Proaño (died in 2024). Photo/ September, 2018.
Elsy Santillán (left) poses with friends at the emblematic monument of the Middle of the World. Photo: October, 2018.
Elsy Santillán Flor, reading poetry of her authorship. Photo/ September, 2019.
References
- ↑ "Entrevista a la escritora ecuatoriana Elsy Santillán Flor". Diario16plus (in español). 6 August 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- ↑ "Elsy Santillán Flor creció en medio del silencio y de las lecturas". elsolweb.tv. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- ↑ Criollo, Fernando (22 November 2021). "Elsy Santillán comparte una 'Fantasmagórica aventura'". El Comercio (in español). Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- ↑ "Elsy Santillán: 'Yo escribo todo el tiempo'". El Universo. 12 April 2009. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- ↑ "Letralia Elsy Santillán Flor". letralia.com. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- ↑ enlace, Obtener; electrónico, Correo; aplicaciones, Otras (27 April 2020). "Elsy Santillán Flor (Ecuador)". lapoesiadelprojimo.com (in español). Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- ↑ "POEMAS DE LA ECUATORIANA ELSY SANTILLÁN FLOR. XVII ENCUENTRO DE POETAS IBEROAMERICANOS. PINTURAS DE MIGUEL ELÍAS". www.crearensalamanca.com. Retrieved 24 February 2025.