Introduction

Sur always faithfully observed its own anniversaries. José Bianco has remarked on Victoria Ocampo's boundless energy; ‘Se le ocurrían constantemente cosas. Organizaba conferencias y debates, celebraba los diez años de Sur, los quince, los veinte, los treinta, el número 50, el 75, el 100, el 150. Yo le decía: “¡Pero Victoria, mire que a Vd. le gustan los guarismos!” Ella continuaba impertérrita.’

This chapter will trace the development of the magazine up to the first of these anniversaries, issue 75, published in December 1940. It marked the end of a decade which began with the world depression and a military coup in Argentina and ended with the fall of Paris and the increasing threat of totalitarianism in Europe and, by extension, in Argentina. The magazine would frequently declare its lack of interest in politics, yet this did not mean that it did not express a view on developments external to literature, including current affairs. Literature was a privileged area of experience and civilisation was based on knowing ‘how’ to read. However, those competent in reading literature, it was implicitly argued, were particularly qualified to turn their attention to history or politics and make valid statements about those subjects if necessary.