Biography

Roxana was born in San Jose, Costa Rica. When her father passed away when she was thirteen years old, she moved to Paris to live with her uncle, who was the ambassador of Costa Rica in France. While living in Paris, she read books by authors such as Hugo, Duras, Yourcenar, and Proust, which helped her develop a love for literature. Paris during this time was a lively city with many groups working to create new ideas in art and society, including those led by Simone de Beauvoir and Michel Foucault. At the same time, a new group of French filmmakers, such as Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard, began to gain attention. These experiences in Paris did not change the focus of Roxana Pinto’s work, which continues to reflect the unique history, culture, and geography of her home country.

As a student at the University of Costa Rica, she earned a degree in psychology. After completing her undergraduate studies, she went on to earn master’s degrees in Latin American literature and international relations and diplomacy from the same university. Later, she received a scholarship to study at ENA (École d’Administration Publique, Paris, France) to further her education. In 2005, Roxana Pinto became the ambassador of Costa Rica and also served as a delegate at the International Bureau of International Exhibitions. During this time, she also represented Costa Rica at UNESCO. As an ambassador in France, a country known for its diverse population and rich literary history, she worked to strengthen ties between Costa Rica and France. This role also helped promote Costa Rican culture around the world. Roxana Pinto is married, has four children, and now lives in Costa Rica. She has written a poetry book that will be published soon and is currently working on her next novel.

List of work

• Ida y vuelta. (Novel). Uruk, San Jose, C.R. 2016.
• Donde ellas. (Novel). Perro Azul, San Jose, CR, 2004.
• Frida Kahlo: una experiencia de límites. (Essay) Editorial Plaza y Valdes, Mexico, y Editorial Universidad de Costa Rica, 2001.
• Noticia de silencio. (Poetry). Editorial Universidad Nacional, San José, CR. 1996.

Awards

• She was named an Officier in the France National Order of the Legion of Honour.
• Her poem, Noticia de silencio, won first place in a poetry competition held by the Costa Rican National University called "UNA Palabra."
• The Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave her an honorary award to recognize her work as the Costa Rican Ambassador in France.
• Her poem, En Alas de la Paz, received a special award from the jury of the "IV CERTAMEN INTERNACIONAL NUEVAS VOCES PARA LA PAZ" in 2016 in Seattle, Washington.
• Roxana Pinto attended the 41st International Kolkata Book Fair in January 2017 on behalf of Costa Rica.