Portuguese & Galician Literary Exile: Preserving Culture

Context of Exile: Post-1936 Uprising

The military uprising in 1936, which prevented the approval of the Statute of Autonomy, led many Galician intellectuals into exile in Argentina, Uruguay, and Mexico.

Preserving Culture & Language Abroad

Exiles, alongside immigrants, played a crucial role in preserving Portuguese culture and ensuring the continuation of the Galician language as a written form. Their actions included:

• Organization of exhibitions and conferences
• Establishment of publishing houses
• Founding of newspapers
• Constitution of cultural entities
• Denunciation to UNESCO regarding the persecution of Galician culture and language

Key Figures in Exile Literature

Poetry

Emilio Pita

Born in La Coruña, Emilio Pita emigrated to Argentina as a child. His works include:

• Jacobusland
• Cantigas de Nenos
• Os Relembros
• O Trail Verdegal

Luis Seoane

Born in Buenos Aires, Luis Seoane returned to Madrid as a child. He was later exiled back to Buenos Aires, where he collaborated with Isaac Díaz Pardo on the Laboratory of Forms of Galicia. His works include:

• O Fardel de Exilio
• In Bretema, Sant-Iago
• Ás Cegas

Lorenzo Varela

Born in Havana, Lorenzo Varela came to Portugal and went into exile in Mexico after the Civil War, later moving to Buenos Aires. His poetry is characterized by a realistic style, devoid of metaphors or social ornamentation. His works include:

• Four Poems for Four Prints (also known as María Pita and Three Medieval Pictures)
• Lonxe

Narrative

Ramón Valenzuela

Ramón Valenzuela was exiled after the war. His works include:

• No Agardei por Ninguén (about the Civil War)
• Foi Tempo de Apandar (about the post-war years)

Silvio Santiago

Silvio Santiago was exiled in Venezuela. His works include:

• Vilardevós
• O Silencio Redimido

Theater

Manuel Varela Buxán

Manuel Varela Buxán emigrated to Argentina. His works include:

• Se Non Sabes... Volve á Casa
• Pola Nosa Culpa

He was commissioned by Castelao for the premiere of his work Os Vellos Non Deben Namorarse, which was later adapted by Buxán into Taberna sen Dono (also known as O Ferreira de Santán).

Luis Seoane (Theater)

• O Astrólogo Irlandés

Eduardo Blanco Amor

• Farsas e Títeres
• Teatro para o Pobo

Castelao

• Os Vellos Non Deben Namorarse

This play depicts three young people from different social classes falling in love, representing the societal dynamics of the time.