Jacint Verdaguer and the Catalan Renaissance
The Catalan Renaissance
Influential Institutions
Several institutions contributed to the consolidation of the Catalan Renaissance:
- Universities: Attracting talented teachers who shaped future generations and led the country.
- Academy of Belles Lettres (Barcelona): Promoting art and culture.
- Ateneu Barcelonès: Organizing conferences and debates, notably the influential Floral Games.
The Floral Games
Established in 1859, the Floral Games aimed to:
- Promote the Catalan language and literature.
- Encourage new writers.
- Provide a platform to disseminate winning works and the spirit of the Renaissance.
The Games revived the medieval motto “Patria, Fides, Amor” (Homeland, Faith, Love) to set the themes for contestants. Awards included the Englantina d’Or (Golden Wild Rose), the Flor Natural (Natural Flower), and the Viola d’Argent (Silver Violet). A poet winning a regular prize three times was proclaimed Mestre en Gai Saber (Master in the Gay Science). Special awards were also given for plays and other works.
Jacint Verdaguer: A Key Figure
Jacint Verdaguer, considered the greatest Catalan poet of the 19th century, is a prominent representative of the Catalan Renaissance. He revitalized the Catalan language and often reflected his biography in his work.
Early Life and Career
Born in Folgueroles to farmer parents, Verdaguer entered the seminary at age 10 and pursued an ecclesiastical career. During this time, he excelled as a writer and bersaire (improvisational poet). His friendship with Jaume Collell, an ecclesiastic who organized the Floral Games, proved influential, introducing Verdaguer to the literary and cultural center of Vic.
Verdaguer first participated in the Floral Games in 1865, winning two awards. In 1868, his poem “Espanya naixent” (“Spain Nascent”), about the sinking of Atlantis, did not win, causing him disappointment. By 1871, he had finished his studies and was granted a vicarate in Vinyoles d’Orís. Facing financial difficulties and lacking time for writing, he fell ill and was diagnosed with cerebral anemia. Doctors recommended a seaside stay. Friends secured him a job with the shipping company of the Marquis de Comillas. Verdaguer then revised “Espanya naixent,” retitling it “L’Atlàntida,” and won the Floral Games prize in 1877.
Later Years and Legacy
The Marquis de Comillas subsequently hired Verdaguer as his chaplain. Verdaguer traveled and lived in a palace with the Marquis for 19 years, including a trip to the Holy Land that deeply affected him. However, he later experienced mental health issues, leading to exorcism attempts. The Marquis eventually dismissed him, and friends declared him insane. In 1893, he was confined to the Sanctuary of Gleva. Considered an outcast, he remained there for two years before escaping to Barcelona. He published a series of articles, “En defensa pròpia” (“In Self-Defense”). He died in Vallvidrera in 1902, surrounded by public recognition.
Verdaguer’s Works
Verdaguer’s work revolves around two main themes: faith and homeland. His works can be divided into narrative poetry (patriotic themes) and lyric poetry (faith-based themes).
- L’Atlàntida: This epic poem, begun in 1868 and completed in 1877, tells the story of the sinking of Atlantis. It features vivid descriptions of nature, mythological elements, and musical versification.
- Canigó: This poem, inspired by the Canigó mountain, blends legend and real figures. It explores Catalan identity, religion, and nature, with interwoven narrative threads of love, war, and religious actions.
Language and Style
Verdaguer created a balanced and coherent literary language, both classical and modern. His style varied depending on the subject, ranging from grandiloquent and rhetorical in epic poems to simple and emotional in popular forms. He demonstrated great mastery of metrics.