Venezuelan Literary Movements: Criollismo, Modernism & Avant-Garde
Criollismo
Time Period
The Criollismo movement started in the last decade of the 19th century and continued until 1929.
Origin
It originated from a group of writers who aimed to create a truly national literature rooted in the Venezuelan experience.
Characteristics
- Characters are often products of the social transformations occurring in Venezuela.
- Themes are inspired by Venezuelan life and culture.
- Literary language blends with popular language.
Notable Novels
- El Ojo de Miguel (posthumous work)
- La Casa de las 4 Pencas
- En Esta Tierra
Key Figures
The movement began with Manuel Vicente Romero García’s Peonía and concluded with Luis Manuel Urbaneja Achelpohl’s En Esta Tierra.
Modernism
Time Period
Modernism emerged in the late 20th century.
Characteristics
- Greater emphasis on prose development, exemplified by the works of Manuel Díaz Rodríguez.
- Shift from nativism to internationalism.
Key Members
- Manuel Díaz Rodríguez
- Rufino Blanco Fombona
- Luis Manuel Urbaneja Achelpohl
Important Magazines
- El Cojo Ilustrado, founded by José Herrera in 1842.
Manuel Díaz Rodríguez
Born on February 28, 1871.
Notable Works
- Ídolos Rotos: Critiques the political, social, and cultural state of Venezuela during Cipriano Castro’s time.
- Cuentos de Color: A collection of short stories published in 1899.
Death
Died on August 24, 1900.
Differences Between Criollismo and Modernism
- Criollismo is optimistic, emphasizing national identity and featuring simple, uncomplicated characters.
- Modernism is pessimistic, focusing on formal beauty, cosmopolitan elements, and characters with complex, often troubled, behaviors.
Lazo Martí and Creole Poetry
Important Data
- Born in Calabozo, Guárico on March 14, 1896.
- Known as a poet, physician, and fighter for his country.
- Began writing poetry in 1893, creating “Silva Criolla.”
- Published “Silva Criolla” in El Cojo Ilustrado in 1901.
- Died on August 8, 1909, in Maiquetía.
Creole Poetry Representatives
- Luis Manuel Urbaneja Achelpohl
- Lazo Martí
- Pérez Bonalde
- Cecilio Acosta
- Juan Vicente González
- José Ramón Yepez
- José Antonio Martín
Concept of Creole Poetry
Creole poetry draws inspiration from the native land, its landscapes, flora, and fauna, and is written in verse form.
History of Creole Poetry
It began with Andrés Bello’s “Silva a la Agricultura,” was further developed by Pérez Bonalde, and reached its peak with Lazo Martí’s work.
Lazo Martí’s Fundamental Work: “Silva Criolla”
Importance
It gave a universal dimension to the Venezuelan landscape and explored the drama of humanity and nature. It represents the culmination of Venezuelan native poetry.
Content
The poem is a lyrical journey through the vast Venezuelan plains, blending objective descriptions with symbolic imagery. It also expresses political, social, and philosophical concerns about life, death, and human destiny.
Lazo Martí’s Poetic Works
- Crepúsculos
- Silva Criolla
- Various poems published in newspapers and magazines.
“Crepúsculos”
A collection of poems mostly written during Martí’s youth, often reflecting melancholic moods associated with twilight or sunset.
Themes
- Love
- Women
- Religious doubt
- Life and death
- Work and struggle
Other Notable Poems
- “Consuelo”
- “La Aldea”
- “Veguero”
- “Invierno”
- “Flor de Pascua”
Avant-Garde Poetry in Venezuela
Time Period
Between 1918 and 1920.
Key Poets
- Vicente Gerbasi
- Enrique Planchart
- Antonio Arráiz
Contribution of the Generation of ’28 to Avant-Garde Poetry
The Generation of ’28 reacted against Modernism and drew inspiration from movements that emphasized speed, machinery, physical prowess, and the thrill of achievement.
“Grupo Viernes”
An important literary group that aimed to define a new aesthetic. Its members included:
- Luis Fernando Álvarez
- Fernando Cabrices
- Otto de Sola
- Vicente Gerbasi
- José Ramón Heredia
- Rafael Olivares Figueroa
- Miguel Ángel Queremel
- Pablo Rojas Guardia
- Pascual Venegas Filardo
Vicente Gerbasi
Representative Work
Mi Padre el Inmigrante
Birth
Born in Canoabo, Carabobo state.
Childhood
Gerbasi’s childhood experiences, blending reality and legend, frequently appear in his poetry.
Participation in “Grupo Viernes”
Gerbasi joined the group in 1936 and served as its Editorial Secretary.
“Mi Padre el Inmigrante”
Represents Gerbasi’s maturity as a poet and synthesizes themes from his earlier works. It won the Municipal Poetry Prize.
Later Life
Gerbasi served as a counselor in Santiago, Chile, and as Venezuela’s ambassador to Haiti, Israel, Denmark, Norway, and Poland.
Summary of “Mi Padre el Inmigrante”
Published in 1945, the poem is divided into 30 sections exploring existential themes of nature and his father’s life. The central motif is the immigrant experience, focusing on his father’s journey to America and his efforts to rebuild his life. The poem blends themes of love, reality, and anxiety with descriptions of American nature, customs, and the immigrant’s interactions with a new land. It connects these experiences with Gerbasi’s childhood and his father’s teachings and virtues.
Characteristics of Gerbasi’s Poetry, Particularly in “Mi Padre el Inmigrante”
Prevalence of Free Verse
Gerbasi breaks with traditional rhyme and meter, employing free verse to achieve greater expressive freedom.
Hermetic Expression
Gerbasi’s poetry can be challenging to interpret. Its hermetic nature stems from its unconventional language and complex poetic content. It features fragmented syntax, unconventional spelling, and a dense accumulation of images and metaphors.
Subjectivism and Imagination
Avant-garde poetry, including Gerbasi’s work, embraces subjectivism and gives free rein to fantasy and imagination.
Universal Themes
Avant-garde poets, including Gerbasi, move beyond the dichotomy of localism versus exoticism, merging both perspectives to create a more universal and transcendent vision.