The renowned Argentine writer and sociologist, Juan José Sebreli, passed away on Friday at the age of 93 at the Hospital Italiano, where he had been hospitalized since the previous weekend. Three years before his death, Sebreli was awarded the honorary mention "Senador Domingo Faustino Sarmiento" by the national Senate, a prestigious distinction granted to prominent figures in cultural, sports, academic, and professional fields.
From an early age, Sebreli dedicated himself to publishing essays and was part of the first group of existentialists in Argentina, as well as collaborating with various newspapers and magazines throughout his life. His medical issues before his death were linked to age, without suffering from any serious illness.
Sebreli's literary legacy includes an extensive body of work translated into several languages, such as French, German, and Italian. In 2015, he was declared an illustrious citizen of the City of Buenos Aires by the local Legislature, thus recognizing his contribution to Argentine culture. During the dictatorship, he led a clandestine study group known as "the university in the shadows."
Among his most notable books are "Buenos Aires, everyday life and alienation" (1964), "The imaginary desires of Peronism" (1983), "The era of football" (1998), "Critique of Argentine political ideas" (2002), among others. During the seventies, Sebreli founded the Homosexual Liberation Front alongside figures like Manuel Puig, Néstor Perlongher, and Blas Matamoro, inspired by similar movements in New York.
His last public appearance took place the previous week at the National Library, where he participated in the presentation of the book "The tireless polemicist," dedicated to his extensive intellectual career. The death of Juan José Sebreli leaves a void in Argentine culture, reminding us of his impact and legacy in the literature and critical thought of the country.
