20th Century Catalan Literature: Movements and Key Authors

Key Figures in 20th Century Catalan Literature

Josep Maria de Sagarra

His extensive and varied work, though belonging to the early twentieth century, felt closer to Modernism. Sagarra's career as a poet began with the collections of lyrics and popular songs, "Cançons d'abril i de novembre" (Songs of April and November). Notable works include "El comte Arnau" (Count Arnau), a Christmas poem. As a prolific theatrical author, he penned 37 works, including "L'Hostal de la Glòria" (The Inn of Glory) and "La corona d'espines" (The Crown of Thorns).

Josep Pla i Casadevall

Pla's vast body of work, collected in 44 volumes, is a varied patchwork reflecting the times he lived in. He masterfully employed different genres, including reportage, biography, and memoirs. Key works include essays like "El carrer estret" (The Narrow Street) and "El quadern gris" (The Grey Notebook), and political news such as his parliamentary chronicles.

Modernism in Catalan Culture

Modernism was a complex European cultural movement that adopted different names depending on its geographical manifestation. In Catalonia, it aimed to transform the local culture into a modern national culture.

Ideological Currents of Catalan Modernism

• Regeneracionisme: Adopted a cosmopolitan view of culture, emphasizing a strong political commitment.
• Esteticisme: Advocated for art for art's sake, seeking to distance itself from social conflict.

Key Modernist Authors

Joan Maragall

A prominent Modernist poet, known for works such as "Visions i Cants" (Visions and Songs) and "Enllà" (Beyond).

Víctor Català (Caterina Albert)

Pseudonym of Caterina Albert. Her works include "Solitud" (Solitude) and "Drames rurals" (Rural Dramas), depicting the harsh realities of rural life.

Santiago Rusiñol

A multifaceted artist and writer, his works include "L'alegria que passa" (The Joy That Passes), "El jardí abandonat" (The Abandoned Garden), and "Cigales i formigues" (Cicadas and Ants).

Noucentisme: Culture and Politics

Noucentisme was a cultural and political movement that began with the creation of Solidaritat Catalana in 1906 and concluded with Primo de Rivera's coup d'état in 1923. Three important dates mark its trajectory:

• 1906: Eugeni d'Ors, the movement's ideologist, published "El Glosari".
• 1907: Josep Carner published "Fruits saborosos" (Tasty Fruits), reflecting the movement's aesthetic and ethical ideals.
• 1913: The First Congress of the Catalan Language took place.

Leading Figures of Noucentisme

Eugeni d'Ors

A key ideologist of Noucentisme and President of the Commonwealth of Catalonia. His influential work, "El Glosari", was a collection of short intellectual papers published daily in the newspaper. Another notable work is "La ben plantada" (The Well-Planted Woman).

Josep Carner i Puig-Oriol

Carner's work is characterized by following the aesthetic models of Noucentisme, as seen in "Fruits saborosos". His poetry evolved through various stages, moving from light verse to a more human and profound, even existential, philosophy in later works like "Nabí" and "El cor quiet" (The Quiet Heart).

Postwar Catalan Poetry

Characteristics of Postwar Poetry

• Prohibition of Catalan language.
• Political persecution of intellectuals.
• Strict review and censorship of almost any form of expression.

Notable Postwar Poets

Salvador Espriu i Castelló

Espriu's work often explored themes of identity and destiny. Key works include "Laia" and "El laberint d'Ariadna" (Ariadna's Labyrinth). His more poetic work includes "Cementiri de Sinera" (Cemetery of Sinera).

Joan Oliver (Pere Quart)

Pseudonym of Joan Oliver. His works include "Decapitacions" (Decapitations), "Oda a Barcelona" (Ode to Barcelona), and "Bestiari" (Bestiary).

Mercè Rodoreda

A leading postwar novelist, best known for her masterpiece "La plaça del Diamant" (The Diamond Square).