Catalan Literature in the 1930s: Cultural Flourishing

Thirty Years of Literature: The 1930s

Catalonia's Literary Climax

The 1930s marked a climax in the construction of a modern national literature in Catalan. Following the fall of the Spanish monarchy in 1931, the new Republican regime established the Generalitat in Catalonia. This provisional government paved the way for the Statute of Autonomy in 1932.

Institutionalization and Cultural Policy

This period represented a new stage of institutionalization for Catalan culture. The government fostered cultural policies, educational initiatives, and a momentum for translation and cultural exchanges. Adhering to guidelines set by the Commonwealth (dissolved after General Primo de Rivera's coup in 1923), the Catalan language became the official language of:

• Administration
• Media communication
• Education

Linguistic Standardization

In 1932, the process of fixing the language—initiated by the publication of the definitive spelling and grammar—was completed. The role of the Institute of Catalan Studies was crucial, establishing subsidiaries for physics, chemistry, mathematics, and geography.

Literary Modernization in Valencia

The years of the Republic were favorable for promoting the modernization process of Catalan literature in Valencia. This was largely thanks to the group centered around the magazine Letras Valencianas (1927–1930), featuring writers and intellectuals such as Carles Salvador and Adolf Pizcueta.

Unity and Recovery

The second phase began the Reinaxença (Renaissance) in Valencia, which significantly advanced the recovery and normalization of Catalan in the region. This group understood that the cultural recovery of Valencia required a holistic approach that included the Balearic Islands and Catalonia, strongly defending language unity.

The policy of linguistic normalization achieved success through spelling unification. New publications emerged, such as the magazines La República de les Lletres (1934–1936) and the weekly El Camí (1932–1934).

Emerging Associations

Associations like Acció Cultural Valenciana appeared, featuring young intellectuals such as Emili Gómez and Manuel Sanchis Guarner, who advocated for the valencianització (Valencianization) of the university.

Mallorcan Literature

In Mallorca, the impact of the thirties was visible through the continued hegemony of the Mallorcan School. This distinct literary industry reached its moment of ripeness with the magazine Our Terra (Nostra Terra, 1928–1936), featuring writers like Joan Pons i Pons and Guillem Colom.

The Era of Repression

With the establishment of the dictatorship of General Franco, the autonomy achieved was abolished, and the use of Catalan was banned. This initiated an era of repression and secrecy for Catalan culture.