Spanish Literature in the 20th Century: Avant-Garde and Generation of '27

20th Century Spain: A Cultural Overview

The early 20th century in Spain was marked by technological advancements and the upheaval of World War I. The reign of Alfonso XIII saw the establishment of a military dictatorship in 1931, followed by the Second Republic. Socially, workers suffered during a period of crisis.

The Avant-Garde Movement

This era was characterized by a fascination with experimentation and a universal artistic vocation. Artists grouped themselves into aesthetic movements known as the avant-garde, or "isms." These groups were not homogenous and included:

• Surrealism: Aiming to transcend rationality through exploration of the unconscious mind.
• Dada: Embracing the absurd and championing art created by chance.
• Ultraism: Reacting against modernist ornamentation, seeking new and expressive metaphors.

Spanish "Isms"

Spanish artists embraced the spirit of the avant-garde, synthesizing new artistic trends with rich literary traditions. This aesthetic renovation is a defining feature of early 20th-century Spanish literature. Key movements included:

• Ultraism: Emerging in Madrid in 1918, promoted by the Ultra magazine. It advocated for the elimination of rhyme, the use of jargon, and the creation of impactful images and metaphors.
• Creationism: Founded by Juan Larrea, Gerardo Diego, and Vicente Huidobro. It asserted that poetry should be self-regulating, independent of the world and nature, and that the poet should not merely mimic reality.

Ramón Gómez de la Serna was a singular avant-garde writer, known for his greguerías (short, witty sayings) that blended metaphor and humor, forming a movement called "Ramónism."

The Generation of '27

The Generation of '27 was a significant literary group in early 20th-century Spain, composed of poets born around the turn of the century. These poets maintained connections through the Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid and the Centro de Estudios Históricos, led by Ramón Menéndez Pidal. Their characteristics included:

• Attraction to the avant-garde.
• Appreciation for literary tradition, both high and low.
• Desire for originality and poetic purity.
• Influence of Surrealism.
• Supremacy of the metaphor.

Key Figures of the Generation of '27

Rafael Alberti (Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz) was exiled but returned to Spain after democracy was restored. He died in 1999 at the age of 97, the last living poet of the Generation of '27. Along with Lorca, he best represents the neotraditional line of the group. His poetry draws inspiration from traditional ballads and lyrical forms. Alberti is also known for his socially conscious poetry, as seen in works like Marinero en tierra and El poeta en la calle.

Pedro Salinas (Madrid) lived in Seville, Paris, and the USA, and worked as a university professor. Luis Cernuda was among his students. He developed his passion for literature through both poetic creation and literary criticism. He is considered a great poet of love.

Vicente Aleixandre's poems are characterized by free verse. Key works include La voz a ti debida and Sombra del Paraíso. After the Civil War, he remained in Spain and mentored young poets. His poetry evolved through three stages:

• Pura Poesía: Influenced by Juan Ramón Jiménez and the avant-garde, particularly Surrealism.
• Humanization: Shifting to social concerns and the lives of ordinary people after the Civil War.

Aleixandre was a member of the Royal Spanish Academy and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1977.

Federico García Lorca (Fuente Vaqueros, Granada) was deeply influenced by his origins. He studied law in Madrid and founded the La Barraca theater company in 1932. He was executed in 1936. A genius of the Generation of '27, he pioneered neopopularism. His poems blend surreal elements of the avant-garde with traditional poetry, employing powerful metaphors and symbols. Notable works include Gypsy Ballads, Poema del Cante Jondo, Lament for Ignacio Sánchez Mejías, and Poet in New York.