Rafael Alberti: Biography, Exile, and Poetic Stages

Rafael Alberti: Life and Legacy

Rafael Alberti Biography: Born in El Puerto de Santa María, he moved to Madrid in 1917. He received the National Prize for Literature for his book of poetry, Marinero en tierra (1924). Alberti left Spain at the end of the Civil War, subsequently living in Paris, Argentina, and Rome.

Return from Exile

On April 27, 1977, after thirty-eight years of exile—having spent time in Argentina and Italy—Rafael Alberti returned to Spain. His first words upon leaving the plane were: "I left with a closed fist and come back with an open hand in sign of harmony between all the Spanish."

His legendary life is tied to nearly a century of cultural, political, and social events in Spain. His affiliations and contributions include:

• Affiliation with the Communist Party.
• Work in the Alliance of Antifascist Intellectuals during the Civil War.
• Cooperation during the conflict with María Teresa León and other intellectuals in the rescue of important works of art of Spain's cultural heritage—including Velázquez's Las Meninas and Titian's Carlos V.
• Serving as honorary president of the first Democratic Cortes, alongside Dolores Ibárruri.

These roles make him a unique character in recent Spanish history.

Poetic Achievements and Recognition

Rafael Alberti has filled the pages of contemporary poetry with his most important lines. His membership in the Generation of '27, recognized as the group of greatest poetic splendor of the twentieth century, was marked by exemplary ethics and dignity. He was recognized with numerous awards, including the National Literature Prize, the Lenin Peace Prize, the National Theatre Prize, and the Cervantes Literature Prize.

Stages in Alberti's Poetry

We can distinguish several stages in his poetry:

Lyric Neopopulism

Rooted deeply in Andalusia (e.g., Marinero en tierra, 1924).

Baroque Interiors

A style where tradition blends with avant-garde elements, especially Góngora and Futurism. Works include Cal y Canto (1926–1927) and Yo era un tonto y lo que he visto me ha hecho dos tontos (1929).

Surrealism

Sobre los ángeles (1927) responds to a religious crisis in the poet's life and is perhaps his masterpiece.

Civil Poetry

Focused on social and political revolution. Examples include El poeta en la calle (1930–1931) and De un momento a otro (1937). This is a poetry of urgency, sometimes high quality, other times purely a pamphlet.

Exile Poetry

In addition to civil poetry, Alberti wrote books expressing nostalgic yearning for the lost homeland. This line includes Roma, peligro para caminantes and Retornos de lo vivo lejano.