Havana, August 29 (RHC) -- Renowned Cuban poetess, Carilda Oliver, passed away early this morning at her home in the city of Matanzas at the age of 96.  

People and intellectuals are paying tribute to the so called ‘Bride of Matanzas’ at her home where her ashes are lying on state. Her house, located at 81st Tirry Street in western Matanzas city, was the site where Oliver wrote most of her poetry and the place that keeps intact memories of her long life. Her home was also the venue of the cultural recital Al sur de mi garganta (South of my throat) named after one of her most important poems.

The National Literature Award Laureate was one of the most outstanding poetesses and writers of all times in Cuba and the Spanish-speaking world.

‘The Bride of Matanzas’, who is the author of the poem Canto a Fidel (Chant to Fidel), dedicated to late Cuban leader Fidel Castro, published some 40 books, many of which had been translated into English, French, German and Bulgarian, including the sonnet Al Sur de mi garganta (South of my throat), published and re-published on six occasions. Other important poems and books published on several occasions include Desaparece el polvo (The dust vanishes) four times; Soneto (Sonnet) three times and Se me ha perdido un hombre (I’ve lost a man) twice.

Critics consider Oliver Labra as one of the essential figures of contemporary poetry, because her work is highly influenced by the impetus and passion of chanting to the people and the strengths and weaknesses of human beings.  She was also described as one of the island nation’s best erotic poetry writers.

The historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, termed her as one of the most representative intellectuals of the revolutionary process, an important author for literature, Cuba and the Revolution.