Galician Literature in Exile: Buenos Aires Hub (1936 Onwards)
Galician Literature in Exile After 1936
With the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936, a period of harsh political repression began in Galicia. Many intellectuals soon went into exile for political reasons. Consequently, during the early years of the dictatorship, Galician literature could primarily only continue in America, where there was already significant cultural activity within the immigrant community.
Cultural Renaissance in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires became the main centre for these initiatives, hosting a large number of Galician immigrants and serving as a meeting point for figures like Castelao, Seoane, Dieste, Blanco Amor, and Lorenzo Varela. The cultural work of these exiles manifested in several ways:
- Cultural and Literary Magazines: Creation of publications such as Galicia Emigrante, Correo Literario, and Vieiros.
- Publishing Houses: Establishment of collections and publishers for Galician books, including Nova, Citania, and Botella al Mar.
- Theatre Consolidation: The founding of theatre companies, like those associated with Varela Buxán and the Teatro Popular Galego.
- Radio Programming: Creation of radio programs to promote Galician culture (e.g., programs recalling Galicia, the Galicia Emigrante radio hour).
Exile Poetry: Voices of Commitment and Longing
In poetry, three authors stand out:
Luis Seoane
Luis Seoane, a multifaceted creator (painter, poet, essayist, playwright), lived in exile in Buenos Aires, where he engaged in intense cultural activity. His poetry is marked by a strong ethical commitment to the social and human reality of Galicia, exploring themes such as exile, emigration, and the subjugation of the humble. Notable works include Fardel do eisiliado (1952), Na brétema, Sant-Iago (1955), and As cicatrices (1959).
Lorenzo Varela
Lorenzo Varela also settled in Buenos Aires, collaborating with Luis Seoane. His poetry ranges from denouncing oppression (social realist poetry) to expressing longing for the homeland. His notable titles include Catro poemas pra catro grabados (1944) and Lonxe (1954).
Emilio Pita
Emilio Pita‘s fundamental work is Jacobusland (1942), illustrated by Castelao. It reflects the tragedy of the Civil War in Galicia amidst a nostalgic portrayal of the Galician landscape.
Narrative Voices from Exile
In the narrative of exile, mention should be made of Ramón Valenzuela and Silvio Santiago, alongside contributions from Eduardo Blanco Amor and Rafael Dieste, who developed part of their literary activity in exile.
Contributions by Blanco Amor and Dieste
Blanco Amor released A esmorga (1959) in Argentina. Dieste published works like De los archivos del trasgo (1943), written in Spanish, also in Buenos Aires.
Ramón Valenzuela and Silvio Santiago
Ramón Valenzuela‘s work is distinctly autobiographical, prioritizing action over description. He employed techniques from oral storytelling (like the first-person perspective) and portrayed characters with precision and authenticity. His works include Non agardei por ninguén (1957) and Era tempo de apandar (1980).
Silvio Santiago wrote Vilardevós (1961), portraying life and exalting popular values, drawing on his childhood memories of rural areas.
Theatre Thrives in Emigration
The work of Galician emigrants was also very significant in theatre.
Castelao
Castelao premiered the comedy Os vellos non deben de namorarse (1941) in Buenos Aires, depicting the loves of three old men for three young women.
Blanco Amor
Blanco Amor created the Teatro Popular Galego, also in Buenos Aires, for which he wrote pieces later collected in Farsas para títeres (1973) and Teatro pra xente (1974).
Manuel Varela Buxán
Manuel Varela Buxán wrote popular theatre in a comic and sentimental vein, with works such as Se o sei… non volvo á casa (1938) and A taberna sen dono (1975).