The Cultural Renaissance of Noucentisme in Catalonia (1906–1923)

Noucentisme: Catalan Cultural Movement (1906–1923)

Defining Noucentisme: Origins and Ideology

Noucentisme is a cultural movement in Catalonia that began around 1906 (coinciding with the creation of Solidaritat Catalana) and concluded in 1923 with the coup d'état of Primo de Rivera. It was conceived as a moderate response to the proposals promoted by Modernism.

The name Noucentisme first appeared in the verses of Eugeni d'Ors, who is considered its founder and main ideologue. The term "Nou" (New) signifies the opposite of the old, marking the start of a new century with proposals for change that break with the past.

Unlike the Modernists, Noucentisme sought to materialize the combination of culture and politics. The Catalan bourgeoisie and the intelligentsia committed to collaborating on the proposed transformation toward a more autonomous Catalonia. The Noucentistes understood that such a project was impossible without the support of the bourgeoisie.

Core Ideals and Aesthetics

Ideologically, Noucentisme represents the imposition of:

• Reason and clarity
• Accuracy and serenity
• Order

Aesthetically, it shows a preponderance of line over color and champions expressive sobriety. Noucentisme served to reform the Catalan bourgeoisie as a dominant class and export its program of improvement to the rest of Spain. Noucentista works seek beauty, harmony, and roots, and are full of metaphors.

The movement was a reaction against several preceding trends, including:

• Liberalism
• Romanticism
• Naturalism
• Positivism
• Secularism

Josep Carner: Poetry and the Catalan Ideal

Josep Carner's work is a significant contribution to the Noucentisme movement. His poetry contributed significantly to realizing the foundational ideal of Catalonia as a collective that believes in its potential. The poet, in this view, has a role in promoting a certain mood and imaginative truths that help build the country.

Carner was very aware of his poetic activity: he deemed it necessary to create these fantastic elements and also worked hard for the dignity of the Catalan language. Carner's language is noble, refined, and increasingly ironic, always seeking precision and accuracy. The book, often seen as a tasty fruit, was identified with the political and cultural project of the early twentieth century.

Key Figures of the Movement

The most important authors of this period are Josep Carner and Eugeni d'Ors.