Juan Gelman Dies: Friends, Family Mourn Argentine Poet Dead At 83 In Mexico

Juan Gelman Burrichson, the famed Argentine poet, has been laid to rest today in a service in Mexico City attended by close friends and family. The writer's widow, Mara Lamadrid, and close friend, Rolo Diez were among those who attended. Meanwhile in Argentina, President Cristina Fernández has announced three days of mourning for the famed poet, with flags throughout the country raised to half mast. Gelman passed away on Tuesday night aged 83.

Juan Gelman was one of the most recognized authors in Latin America. In 2007, he was awarded the prestigious Cervantes Prize for his work. A poet, translator and journalist, Gelman lived in Mexico for the last 20 years of his life. "24 years a go I decided to establish myself and stay forever in Mexico, sustained by my love for this great country and a great woman, my wife," the author said upon winning the Fine Arts Medal awarded by the National Fine Arts Institute in 2012.

Indeed, Juan Gelman had a profound relationship with Mexico. "I have always dedicated my poetry to Mexico, all my work is enclosed in the essence of this country. I think that my genertation, both here and in the rest of Latin America, belongs to a trench in which there was always a defence of love as a vital force." He is the author of "EL Emperrado Amora," "El Pais Que Fue Sera," and "Colera Buey," while his poetry collections include "Violin Y Otras Cuestiones" and "El Juego En Que Andamos."