Catalan Literature: 1939-1960
Borrowings and Bulgarisms
Borrowings – Foreign words not accepted into the standard dictionary, introduced into our speech. Ex: affair, of course
Bulgarisms – Words that are part of the popular lexicon or are colloquial defects. Ex: Llavonses
Avant-Garde Poetry
The avant-garde poetry of the first third of the 20th century represented a move towards artistic and literary reversal. It was characterized by a desire to break with the established order and experimentation. This involved a break with traditional forms of expression: grammatical rule breaches and punctuation, altered word meanings, and the incorporation of visual resources into poetic language. Many currents were generically termed avant-garde. Futurism and Surrealism are emphasized here.
Futurism
Futurism emerged in 1909 with the publication of the Futurist Manifesto by Italian writer Filippo Tommaso Marinetti. This movement advocated abandoning sentimentality in art and proposed a direct, even aggressive language; audacity and a taste for violence; and the exaltation of machines, speed, movement, and freedom. Calligrams and collages are characteristic forms. Author: Joan Salvat-Papasseit
Surrealism
Surrealism appeared in 1924 with André Breton’s Surrealist Manifesto. This movement favored texts full of original, irrational, yet evocative images. Poets often resorted to dreams, during which hidden subconscious desires emerged. Automatic writing accurately transcribed thought. Author: Porcel Roussillon
Literature of War and Exile
In 1939, when the Spanish Civil War ended, many intellectuals and writers who had been faithful to the Republic were forced into exile to save their lives. The Catalan language and culture entered a critically difficult 20-year period. Franco sought to eliminate Catalan, Galician, and Basque cultures in favor of a single Spanish culture. Catalan was banned, even in telephone conversations. Catalan writers put their work in the service of their language and culture, often working from their homes. Exiles in Europe and America reflected their experiences in works expressing a sense of defeat.
Poetry
Literary texts were privileged, spread through private readings, publications, or newspaper editions tolerated by a clandestine censorship that considered poetry a minority genre. Frequent themes included war, exile, lament for a lost world, and fidelity to language and culture. Poets: Carles Riba (Elegies de Bierville), Miquel Martí i Pol (Elegies de guerra), J.V. Foix, Salvador Espriu
Narrative
Despite censorship and a lack of schooling in Catalan, Catalan narrative had remarkable development. Themes included war, concentration camps, and exile. Authors: Pere Calders, Agustí Bartra (Cinc hores del 200.000), Vicenç Riera Llorca. Catalan fiction was enriched by the places and countries where exiled characters lived.
Theater
From 1946, performances of Catalan classics and works by active authors were authorized, provided they did not challenge the regime. This allowed companies to resume commercial activity, promoting bourgeois comedy. Works written before the war, such as La Glòria de l’Hostal and C.F.C. Navy, were revived. Post-war theater became more critical and contemporary, with characters possessing greater psychological depth. Ex: La Fortuna de Sílvia. In the Balearic Islands, theatrical activity in Catalan did not resume until 1947, and only in comedic or minor performances. Author: Llorenç Villalonga (Faust)