Galician Literature in Exile: Poetry, Narrative, and Theater
Galician Literature in Exile
Poetry
During their exile, Galician poets explored themes prohibited under Franco’s regime. These included nostalgia for their homeland, Galician patriotism, and the struggles of the exiled community. Major poets of this period include:
- Luis Seoane: Known for his long, almost prosaic, semi-narrative poems addressing social issues and the Galician emigration experience. His work also features a mythical view of Portuguese history, Celtic influences, and realistic, sometimes journalistic elements. Key works include Bretema, Sant-Iago, and Fardel de Eisiliado.
- Lorenzo Varela: Author of Poemas (1944), Catro poemas, and Catro episodios (1954), his poetry reflects the tragic experiences of the Spanish Civil War, mythical medieval Galician figures, and the history of the working class.
- Emilio Pita: Published works such as Jacoubusland (1942), Cancións de nenos (1944), Os recordados (1959), Os camiños verdegais (1964), and Será (1974). His poems explore themes of nostalgia for God, emigration, denunciation of Franco’s oppression, and personal experiences.
- Other notable poets include E. Blanco Amor, R. Rey Baltar, and F. Fernández del Riego.
Narrative
Narrative works often focused on the Spanish Civil War, with a memorialistic and testimonial tone. Key authors include:
- Ramon Valenzuela: His novel Non agardei por ninguén is an action-adventure story centered on a guerrilla fighter who joins the Republican army. It portrays a wide range of settings and reflects social injustice and rural life. His other work, Era tempo de apandar, complements this by exploring the repression and guerrilla warfare of the period.
- Anton Alonso Rios: Works like Longing and Love, Art, and Mysticism explore the experience of nostalgia with romanticism and lyricism, merging with philosophical and moral reflections. Sinor Afrânio (1979) revolves around the protagonist’s memories of war and escape. Nidia features a protagonist passionate about religion, allowing the author to explore religious and philosophical themes.
- Silvio Santiago: Vilardevós is a realistic novel centered on the author’s village and its children. It contrasts the past with the present as the protagonist returns after a stay in America. En Silencio (1976) reflects the violence, difficulties, and persecutions experienced in Galicia during the war.
- Other authors who published short narratives in Galician include R. Dieste, Baltar Domínguez, and X. Núñez Búa.
Theater
Galician theater in exile presented two distinct approaches: one focused on popular customs and traditions, and the other more intellectual, with innovative themes and techniques. The former evoked the homeland and Galician pride, often incorporating musical elements and exploring themes of love and emigration. The latter aimed for universal appeal, addressing intellectual conflicts and concerns.
- Castelao: His plays display a taste for structural symmetry, concentrated expressionism with symbolism, humor, and folklore. Os vellos non deben de namorarse exemplifies his preference for stylized theater, combining text, music, dance, and scenography. The play critiques different sectors of society and explores themes of love, death, the power of money, and hypocrisy.
- E. Blanco Amor: His works are divided into realistic pieces like Farsas para monicreques and non-realistic farces like Teatro do pobo. The latter are imaginative, fast-paced, and full of fantastic and satirical elements. Proceso a Jacoubusland is a harsh denunciation of Franco’s repression and the injustices of the judiciary.
- Luis Seoane: A soldadeira combines historical and social themes. O Mariscal references Galician history under Franco’s rule. Esquema para unha farsa satirizes the Francoist regime’s portrayal of Galician emigrants’ lives. O astrólogo irlandés explores the conflict between power and individual freedom in exile.