Luz Elisa Borja Martínez

Luz Elisa Borja Martínez (15 May 1903 – 10 July 1927) was an Ecuadorian poet, pianist, painter, and sculptor.

Biography

Borja Martínez was born in Riobamba in 1903, the daughter of Ricardo Borja León and Victoria Martínez Dávalos. Through her father, she was a direct descendant of Juan de Borja y Enríquez de Luna, the third Duke of Gandía, and Juana de Aragón y Gurrea. The former was the grandson of Pope Alexander VI and the latter was granddaughter of King Ferdinand II, descended from the rulers of Navarre and Aragon.

From a wealthy family, she was allowed the resources to develop her artistic talents. She was educated at the San Vicente de Paúl college in Riobamba, run by the Sisters of Charity.

She achieved success and awards in several Ecuadorian cities, and was cited by the foreign press at the time as one of that country's most illustrious poets. Ever since, she has been known as "La Alondra del Chimborazo" (The Lark of Chimborazo).

Considered a classic of its kind, the pasillo "Lamparilla" has been traditionally played by the most important singers and musical groups in Ecuador, as well as by prominent vocalists from other countries.