Evolution of 20th-Century Spanish Poetry

Postwar Spanish Poetry (1940s)

In the 1940s, a "rooted poetry" (poesía arraigada) developed. Disconnected from the harsh reality of the time and inspired by Garcilaso de la Vega, it addressed topics such as love, nature, religion, and the exaltation of the country using classical verse forms (sonnets, heroic verse, romances, etc.).

In parallel, "uprooted poetry" (poesía desarraigada) emerged, expressing anguish, emptiness, and solitude in an adverse and hostile world.

The most significant works from this period include Sons of Wrath (Hijos de la ira) by Dámaso Alonso and Shadows of Paradise (Sombra del paraíso) by Vicente Aleixandre.

Social Poetry of the 1950s

Many uprooted poets came to regard poetry as an instrument of social criticism. They set personal feelings aside to bear witness to the reality of the moment. In their compositions, social poets discussed the political situation in Spain, solidarity, the fight for freedom, and social injustices, utilizing a simple and colloquial language.

Prominent figures of this trend include, among others, Blas de Otero (My Voice and Speech), Gabriel Celaya, and José Hierro.

Poetic Renewal in the 1960s

The 1960s brought formal and thematic innovation. Poetry shifted toward personal themes (such as love, friendship, and youth) while seeking new forms of expression. Key figures in this line of renewal include Jaime Gil de Viedma, Ángel González, and José Ángel Valente.

At the end of the decade, a new group of poets emerged, known as the "Novísimos" (the "newest"), who incorporated themes and forms from cinema, comics, and television.

Contemporary Spanish Poetry (Post-1975)

Since 1975, Spanish lyric poetry has experienced changes that do not represent abrupt breaks with the previous poetic tradition. Instead, authors have focused on several distinct trends:

Neo-Garcilasism and Classicism

This trend draws on previous literary movements, including the Renaissance, Baroque, and Romanticism. Key poets in this group include Luis Antonio de Villena and Almudena Guzmán.

Poetry of Experience

In this trend, the poet contemplates daily urban reality and incorporates personal experiences and ideas. This current is cultivated by Luis García Montero, Jon Juaristi, and others.

Neopurism and Minimalism

Also known as minimalism, this style consists of short poems, preferably in short verse, which tend to concentrate conceptual meaning. They suggest depth through what is left unsaid—that is, through silence. It is cultivated by authors like Justo Navarro and Jaime Siles.