For several days, family members, colleagues, and friends of writer Félix Sánchez Rodríguez had been following his delicate health condition, which culminated in his passing yesterday in Ciego de Ávila at the age of 69.

The news spread through social networks: «Félix didn’t make it. He just passed away, shortly before five in the afternoon,» wrote journalist Fernando Sánchez Rodríguez, the writer’s brother, on his Facebook profile.

The Cuban Book Institute, in a statement published on social media, mourned the loss of the distinguished storyteller, researcher, children’s author, and cultural promoter, who was born on August 11, 1955, in Ceballos, Ciego de Ávila.

The text highlights several of the author’s accolades, including the Alejo Carpentier Short Story Award and the prizes awarded to Juan Clemente Zenea, Emilio Ballagas, Eliseo Diego, Regino Botti, Julio Cortázar, Cirilo Villaverde, and Guillermo Vidal.

Félix Sánchez joined the UNEAC (Union of Cuban Writers and Artists) in 1987. Within the organisation, he served as president of the Writers’ Chapter and vice president of its Provincial Committee. «In 2002, he began as a proofreader and later became an editor at Ediciones Ávila. He was head of the editorial board of Videncias Magazine and an adjunct professor at the University of Ciego de Ávila. In 2005, the AHS awarded him the Vicente Iriondo Prize for Lifetime Achievement. Since 2004, he coordinated the Compay Grillo Children’s Literature Workshop,» the statement notes.

Author of approximately a dozen short story collections and five published novels, with others in preparation, Félix understood that writing required sacrifice. «There’s no other formula than persistence,» he affirmed.

He expressed this view in an interview published in Juventud Rebelde, where he also reflected that «a writer never rests, always observing, imagining. Although I must admit that as one ages, fatigue comes quicker. What happens is that I organise myself and, I insist, family helps.»

«When one writes, the noise at home diminishes. On the other hand, Hemingway advised not to exhaust everything and to save something to write the next day. And believe me: that’s very good advice.»

Messages shared on social media upon news of his passing convey grief, but also profound affection and admiration for the writer. Among them prevails the certainty that his readers will preserve his memory. (Author: Madeleine Sautié)