Contemporary Galician Literature: Poetry, Narrative, and Drama

Current Trends in Poetry, Narrative, Drama, and Essays

The Lyric

In the eighties, the main characteristics of Portuguese poetry involved a break with social-realismo, integrating elements of urban culture, a recovery of intimacy and eroticism, and an explicit concern for formalist baroque styles.

Notable representatives include:

• Manuel Villanueva: Mythic and symbolist, author of E direivos I mester of snakes.
• Paulino Vázquez: A culturalist baroque poet, author of Pebble to undo writes in his fingers.

Since the nineties, it has become more difficult to define common trends due to the individualistic nature of poets. However, some shared characteristics include the desbarroqización of language, the dominance of recitals, and the treatment of social issues with new sensibilities. Additionally, there has been a significant increase in women's poetry.

Narrative

Trends in narrative include historical accounts with fantastic elements, experimental vanguard styles, and genre fiction. Key authors include:

• Alfredo Conde: Author of The Griffon in the Wind.
• Xavier Alcalá: Author of Fable.

Since 1985, rural and social narratives have declined, giving way to new genres such as essays and chronicles. Important authors include:

• Manuel Rivas: Known for humor, lyricism, and humanity (e.g., The Carpenter's Pencil).
• Suso de Toro: A transgressor of language who explores urban marginality (e.g., Polaroid, The Shadow Hunter).

Theater

Independent groups participating in the Abrente contests were the architects of theatrical renovation, incorporating contemporary Galician drama. Important authors include:

• Manuel Lourenço: Author of Ciclo of Midnight.
• Euloxio Ruibal: Author of Cabodano or Moremi.

In 1984, the Galician Drama Center was created, leading to the publication of new authors such as Jesús or Raúl Dans.

Essays

Virtually absent in literature since Otero Pedrayo, the essay genre resurged in the eighties with great vitality. It manifested in new magazines such as Crossroads of Christian Thought, Feast of the Quiet Words, and feminist-oriented publications like Lights of Galicia.

The academic field of galeguización contributed to the training of researchers who published their works in Galician. The field is diverse, with key thematic lines including:

• Economics and Politics: Notable work by José Manuel Beiras.
• Sociolinguistics: Significant contributions by Xesús Alonso Montero (Dramatic Report about the Portuguese Language) and Francisco Rodríguez (Conflict, Language, and Ideology).
• Feminism: Mª José Queizán is a primary representative, notably for her book Recovered Hands.