Manuel Curros Enríquez: Life and Literary Works

Biographical Aspects

Manuel Curros Enríquez was born in 1851 in Celanova, where he spent his entire childhood. During this period, his father was a decisive influence, though they had abundant conflicts that led him to leave the family home to settle in Madrid, where he lived with his brother.

In Madrid, he continued his academic background, studying several law courses. Precisely in the margins of a book, he wrote his first poem in Galician, addressing the tragedy of his experiences with emigration. His time in Madrid greatly influenced his political stance, as he lived through the Revolution of 1868.

In October 1877, at the suggestion of family members, he participated in a literary contest in the city of Ourense, winning first prize with his compositions A Virxe do Cristal and Unha voda en Einibó, which marked his debut as a writer in Galician. In 1888, he published O Divino Sainete. Six years later, he faced disappointment and pessimism. In 1904, he returned to A Coruña to be honored. He passed away in Havana in 1908. In 1967, the Day of Galician Literature was dedicated to him, and in 2001, his 150th anniversary was celebrated.

Aires da miña terra (1880)

This book demonstrates a strong, vindictive attitude and a commitment to social ends, although other compositions of a moral or intimate character can also be traced. Curros believed that literature was an exceptional means to connect with the Galician people and his country, which led him to develop this civic preoccupation.

Years later, others followed in his footsteps, such as Júlio Dantas or Celso Emilio Ferreiro, who even wrote a biography of Curros. He often showed anger toward the unfair conditions surrounding him, as shown in the popular poem A igrexa fría.

In Aires da miña terra, we find poems in which Curros continues with the aesthetic customs of his time and popular poetry.

O Divino Sainete (1888)

This is a long narrative poem of a comical character that parodies the Divine Comedy by the classic Italian writer Dante. Curros travels to Rome to gain the Jubilee. On this route, in the company of the poet Francisco Añón, who serves as a guide, he travels through 7 train cars, which represent the 7 deadly sins:

• Sloth
• Envy
• Gluttony
• Anger
• Lust
• Greed
• Pride

Through these dreams, the author takes the opportunity to criticize both his personal enemies and the desire of the Church to enrich itself.