Galician Literary Renaissance and the Nós Generation

O Grupo Nós: Modernizing Galician Society

The Grupo Nós represented a collective effort to modernize Galician thought and society. Their work sought to establish Galicia as a distinct nation through the publication of the magazine Nós (1920–1936). Directed by Vicente Risco, this publication was a brilliant hub for archaeology, ethnography, and literary creation.

Vicente Risco: Intellectual and Theorist

Vicente Risco directed the magazine Nós since its inception in 1920. In the same year, he published Teoría do nacionalismo galego, a work that brought him significant fame. Although he did not participate in the PG (Partido Galeguista) as he became increasingly conservative, his legacy as a storyteller, playwright, and essayist remains vital. His notable works include the play O bufón de El-Rei (1928) and various essays on ethnography, politics, and philosophy.

The Narrative of Vicente Risco

Risco's narrative is characterized by a departure from ruralism, embracing internationalism, didacticism, and a prevailing sense of critical humor. His most important work is O porco de pé (1928), which serves as a critique of consumerism and materialism.

Ramón Otero Pedrayo: The Patriarch of Letters

Ramón Otero Pedrayo was an active member of the Irmandades da Fala and the PG, serving as a deputy. A professor at the University of Santiago, he became an ethical model and a symbol for younger Galicianists during the Franco regime. His thought was rooted in Christianity, traditionalism, and anti-capitalism, focusing on the defense of the fidalgo (nobility) and the labrego (peasant).

The Extensive Work of Otero Pedrayo

• Narrative: Focused on the historical reality of Galicia. His masterpiece, Os camiños da vida, provides a portrait of 19th-century Galician society.
• Theater: Notable for works such as O desengano do prioiro.
• Essay: Ensaio histórico sobre a cultura galega.
• Poetry: The collection Bocarriveira.

Galician Language During the Postwar Era

The Francoist dictatorship led to the severe repression of the Galician language. Increased schooling was conducted exclusively in Castilian, and migration from the countryside to the cities further weakened the language's social weight. The Church also exerted pressure in favor of Castilian. This period saw the beginning of a rupture in the intergenerational transmission of the language within families, compounded by a lack of institutional support and open hostility. During this time, the defense and promotion of Galician literature were largely sustained by exiles in America.

O Tempo das Vangardas: The Vanguard Movements

The Vanguards originated in Europe during the early decades of the 20th century amidst political crises. These movements sought to break with traditional forms and reflect the modern world.

Principais Movementos de Vangarda

• Futurism: Created by Marinetti, it celebrated the modern world and speed, rejecting classical restoration.
• Cubism: Highly influential in painting, it introduced innovations like collage and the invention of the caligrama by Guillaume Apollinaire.
• Dadaism: Led by Tristan Tzara, it reflected chaos and the absurd.
• Surrealism: Focused on the subconscious and irrationality.

Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio stands as the most significant figure of the Galician vanguard, bringing revolutionary poetic structures to the language.