The Endless Legacy of Emilio Carballido
Emilio Carballido was born in the Highlands of Veracruz in 1925. A century later, the richness of his literary and personal legacy remains inexhaustible.
A Mexican and universal writer
The words of Emilio Carballido have reached millions of people in many places. One hundred years after his birth, this Veracruz native—considered the father of contemporary Mexican playwriting—remains present on stages, screens, and pages across several continents.
Theater is Carballido’s most renowned facet, yet his legacy also embraces screenwriting, fiction, children’s stories, teaching, pioneering outreach, and countless unforgettable moments with artists, creators, and friends.
Little Carballido (1925) by Fotógrafo desconocido and Archivo personal de Héctor HerreraColectivo Rokunin
Veracruz, origin and inspiration
Although born at the foot of Pico de Orizaba, Emilio Carballido Fentanes was raised in the nation's capital. It was at the age of 13 that he discovered the endless green landscapes and endearing charm of provincial life.
"I was resurrected upon discovering Veracruz, the tropics, (…) freedom. For me, Veracruz became a revelation, and it still is."
Discovering Veracruz by Train (1937) by Fotógrafo desconocido and Archivo personal de Héctor HerreraColectivo Rokunin
He embraced Córdoba as his hometown. Traveling by train with his father, a railroad worker, he journeyed through the region that would go on to inspire iconic stories and characters.
Premiere at the Palace of Fine Arts (1950) by INBA and Archivo personal de Héctor HerreraColectivo Rokunin
Theatrical career
In a small Veracruz village unfolds the story that launched Emilio Carballido to fame: he wrote “Rosalba y los llaveros” while studying Dramatic Arts, and when Salvador Novo discovered his work, he commissioned a play for the 1950 theater season at the Palace of Fine Arts.
It was a resounding success. His dialogues, filled with deep reflections clothed in humor and popular culture, captivated audiences then and remained a hallmark of his creations.
Attention, Rehearsal (1970) by Fotógrafo desconocido and Archivo personal de Héctor HerreraColectivo Rokunin
His vast career as a playwright (with more than 200 titles) includes many other widely recognized works, translated and performed in dozens of countries. The variety of genres, formats, and themes he explored further demonstrates his inexhaustible creativity and talent.
Women at the Center (2018) by Festival Emilio Carballido and Compañía Titular de Teatro UVColectivo Rokunin
Carballido’s critical vision runs through all these stories. He portrayed social and political problems, often related to power and especially inequality. He gave prominence to marginalized classes and to women who rebel seeking freedom.
“The Most Beautiful Part Is Yet to Come” (2018) by Festival Emilio Carballido and Compañía Silka TeatroColectivo Rokunin
Despite addressing profound and transcendent issues, the magic of the writer from Córdoba lies in making his stories feel light. They fill theaters with both laughter and moved hearts.
His works have been read and enjoyed in countries such as Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Chile, Colombia, Korea, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Spain, the United States, France, India, Italy, Israel, Peru, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, Serbia, and Venezuela, among others.
Inspiration (1970) by Fotógrafo desconocido and Archivo personal de Héctor HerreraColectivo Rokunin
Narrative and film
Carballido’s creative genius led him beyond theater into other literary genres. He wrote nine novels, two volumes of short stories, and countless critical essays. His children’s and young adult fiction helped shape several generations of readers in Mexico.
His mastery of dialogue also made him stand out as a screenwriter. He began with adaptations of his plays (“Rosalba”, “Felicidad”), and in total contributed to around 50 feature films. In 2002 he received the Golden Ariel Award for his cinematic career.
International Prestige (1980) by Margaret Sayers Peden and Twayne PublishersColectivo Rokunin
Worldwide recognition
Awards, honors, and tributes—both national and international—came to Emilio Carballido from the beginning of his career. As a young man, he was awarded scholarships by UNESCO’s International Theater Institute and twice by the Mexican Writers’ Center.
He received more than fifteen awards in Mexico, among them the National Prize for Arts and Sciences (1996), and several times the Juan Ruiz de Alarcón Prize.
In Europe and the Americas he was also decorated, with prizes such as the Havana Arts Festival Award (1963).
He traveled much of the world, attending stagings of his works, promoting those of his Mexican colleagues, and learning from the artistic expressions of other cultures.
Audience and Artists on Stage (2023) by Teresa Morte (foto)Colectivo Rokunin
Teaching vocation
Many of his honors came from universities and academies due to his strong dedication and work in the field. He served as an administrator and professor at INBA and the Universidad Veracruzana (UV), which awarded him an honorary doctorate honoris causa in 1992.
Handwritten Note of Gratitude and Carballido’s Pen (1980) by Emilio Carballido and Archivo personal de Héctor HerreraColectivo Rokunin
He shared his “theatrical carpentry” methods in classrooms at the National Polytechnic Institute, UNAM, and other colleges and universities in the United States (New Jersey, California), the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.
Inside the Action (2023) by José Gabriel Molina Coria (foto)Colectivo Rokunin
His plays have had—and continue to have—an intense life in university theater. He was named a member of the Mexican Academy of Language in 1976 and an honorary member of the Mexican Academy of Arts in 2002.
Tramoya Magazine: Unprecedented Theater Outreach
Teaching others how to write was not enough for Carballido. His commitment to publishing and promoting emerging theater was extraordinary. He coordinated several anthologies, but his most important legacy is the magazine Tramoya. Cuaderno de Teatro at UV, founded in 1975.
Half a century later, Tramoya is a benchmark publication with more than 150 issues featuring complete works by Mexican and international authors, whether prestigious or rescued from oblivion, contemporary or classic.
Remembered for His Smile (1960) by Fotógrafo desconocido and Archivo personal de Héctor HerreraColectivo Rokunin
An unforgettable smile for literature and arts
Thanks in part to his passion for supporting and enjoying artistic creation, the writer from Córdoba earned the affection of many figures in this field. “In Emilio there is an essential quality: charm,” said Rosario Castellanos, his colleague and friend.
Those who were close to him describe him this way: smiling mischievously when speaking of serious matters, intensely focused during play rehearsals, petting cats, savoring his travels, sharing culinary delights, and always full of energy to create and enjoy life, even in his final years.
The Magic of the Stage (2018) by Festival Emilio Carballido and Compañía Titular de Teatro UVColectivo Rokunin
“We want to fill the stage with living, free, and meaningful creatures. In striving for this, we consume life. Our heirs will know whether we succeeded.”
Emilio Carballido
The writer from Veracruz was like those creatures he managed to bring to life with his words.
From China to Veracruz (2016) by Festival Emilio Carballido and China National Peking Opera CompanyColectivo Rokunin
Festival in his memory
Part of his legacy continues to flourish each year in Córdoba and other cities of Veracruz thanks to the Emilio Carballido Festival, held since 2009.
Japanese Butoh Dance in Carballido’s Hometown (2017) by Festival Emilio Carballido and Natsu NakajimaColectivo Rokunin
With the mission of continuing to promote the enjoyment of his works and the richness of his influences worldwide, the Emilio Carballido Festival has brought to the Highlands of Veracruz artists from China, Japan, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, and Greece.
Tap to explore
Thanks to Emilio Carballido, and to this legacy in the form of a festival, the people of Córdoba and the region continue to enjoy artistic expressions that he himself would have shared with enthusiasm.
Emilio Carballido Festival
Córdoba, Veracruz, México
Acknowledgments: Héctor Herrera, Museo de Córdoba.
Text and edition: Teresa Morte.
Coordination: Itzel Mendoza.
2025
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