Catalan Renaissance: Language and Literature Revival
The Catalan Renaissance
Introduction
During the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, Catalan literature experienced a decline in publications due to various factors, such as:
- The splendor of Spanish literature.
- The weakening of the official status of Catalan.
- Increased popular Catalan literature.
Different historical events also played a role. In 1714, Philip V, King of Spain, introduced the Nueva Planta decree, through which the Catalan language and institutions lost their official status and were subsequently persecuted.
This situation changed during the 19th century, a period of major social and political transformations, including:
- The transition from the Old Regime to liberalism.
- The shift from an estate society to a class society.
- The change from an absolute monarchy to a parliamentary monarchy.
Gradually, new social classes, the bourgeoisie and the working classes, became interested in the identity of the new Catalan people. The bourgeoisie, in particular, became the new promoter of revival movements.
The ideas of Romanticism arrived in Catalonia during the second half of the 19th century through European magazines such as “The”. These ideas gradually led to a revival based on the recovery of Catalan as a language.
The Renaissance and its Characteristics
The dominant period in the history of Catalonia (1833-1877) saw a significant impetus given to literary Catalan, after three centuries of decline. This impetus came from the hands of a Catalan industrial bourgeoisie, very conscious of the Catalan national identity.
- 1833: Publication of the poem “Ode to the Homeland” by Bonaventura Carles Aribau. The poet, who lived and worked in Catalonia, praised his country in his poem, using Romanticism themes.
- 1877: Restoration of the Floral Games. Jacint Verdaguer won the games with his poem “Atlantis”.
Characteristics of the Renaissance
- Retrieving the Catalan language and removing Castilianisms.
- Public awareness of the identification between language and nation.
- Promoting the emergence of new writers in different genres.
- Promoting the role of institutions and fostering new identities.
Floral Games
The Floral Games were a poetic contest held in Catalonia during the Middle Ages. They were restored with the intention of recovering the Catalan language, particularly in poetry.
The Floral Games were re-established in 1859 and held until 1936. With Franco’s victory, they were omitted (1940-1978).
The theme chosen for the first Floral Games in 1859 was “Fatherland, Faith, and Love!” The prizes were:
- A gold rose: for the best patriotic poetry.
- A violet: for the best religious poetry.
- A natural flower: for the best love poetry.
A poet capable of winning all three awards received the title of “Master of Gay Saber”. The Floral Games led to the emergence of new generations of authors, such as:
- Jacint Verdaguer in poetry.
- Àngel Guimerà in theater.
- Narcís Oller in prose.
The Prose of Jacint Verdaguer
Jacint Verdaguer’s literary work has a romantic character and deep popular roots. He also contributed significantly to the recovery of Catalan.
Verdaguer wrote prose and was the great poet of the Renaissance. He won several awards at the Floral Games. His main works are “Atlantis” (1877) and “Canigó” (1886).
Atlantis
“Atlantis” is a poem that had an unusual international impact and was translated into several languages. The poem consists of an introduction, a conclusion, and ten cantos. It mixes history and mythology through two themes: the discovery of America and the sinking of Atlantis.
The introduction presents a young, shipwrecked Columbus who makes contact with a hermit. The hermit explains how Atlantis sank. This explanation comprises the ten central cantos, with the intuition of Christianizing America.
The protagonist of the work, besides Columbus, is nature, which is overwhelming.