Galician Literature: From Medieval Times to the 19th Century

Traditional Anonymous Poetry and Troubadours

Traditional anonymous poems and parallelistic songs are a significant part of Galician literature. Troubadours also played a crucial role, exploring historical themes like "Pranto da Frouseira", a lament for the death of Pardo de Cela's son, and "Sack of Cangas by the Turks", a secular piece.

Renaissance and Baroque Periods

The Renaissance in the 17th century saw the rise of academic poetry, exemplified by the "Sonnet of Monterrei", an anonymous, dialogued piece featuring a knight, a lover, and a shepherd. The "Sonnet to the Countess of Altamira", dedicated to Alonso de Ercilla, is another notable work. The Baroque period brought forth works like "Respice Finem", "Sonnet to a Skirt", and "Decimas do Apostolo Santiago".

Compositions and arrangements from the Minerva festivals, Christmas festivities, and villancicos are also prominent. Religious poetry saw the Galicianization of characters like the Three Wise Men, combining educated and folk elements.

Authors from these periods include Carlos Patiño (17th century), Antonio Maria de Castro y Neira (18th century), and Albert Road (19th century).

Theater

Notable theatrical works include "Let it not be like fishing on the Miño River".

The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment was characterized by the exaltation of reason, the cultivation of sciences and humanities, and the study of classical and modern languages. Father Feijoo was a key figure, criticizing the generations of his time. Father Sarmiento, a theologian and follower of Feijoo, defended the dignity of the Galician language and proposed schools that taught in the mother tongue. He also criticized the Castilianization of the church.

Other notable figures include:

• Feijoo: "Cry of the fleet, by a Galician nymph"
• Placido Feijoo: Retained a Galician gloss
• Cornide Saavedra: Studied geography, history, and education, author of "A Phyllida"
• Cernadas e Castro: A priest and prolific poet of the 18th century, known for satirical poems and love for Galicia
• Maria Island and Losada Fca: One of the most famous figures of the century, known for her humorous character and studies of the Galician language
• Father Sobreira: Wrote in Galician during a period when it was not common

19th Century: Manifestations and Propaganda

The 19th century saw literary texts with a propaganda purpose, both political and social. Examples include "A farmer who went to be a sergeant for the soldiers of the new isolation" and "Feats of Galicia".

Poetry and Theater

The tradition of Galician Christmas villancicos continued, but poetry was not widely cultivated. Nicomedes Pastor Diaz wrote the Spanish romance "Alborada". Vicente Turnes was a relevant figure in the first half of the 19th century.

Precursors of the Rexurdimento

Xoan Manuel Pintos defended the Galician language in his work "A Galician Bagpipe". Francisco Anón wrote "To Galicia". Alberto Camino explored themes of love and sentimentality in "O Grieving". Antonio Maria Church made significant cultural contributions, including the "Album of Charity". Francisco Maria Church wrote poetry with a wide range of themes and also wrote in Galician prose.

The Floral Games

The Floral Games were held in 1861 in A Coruña. Poems in Galician and Castilian were published in the "Album of Charity", featuring authors like Francisco Añón, Rosalía de Castro, and Eduardo Pondal.