Catalan Literature: Resilience and Renaissance (Franco Era)
Franco Era: Stage 1
Repression was fierce; literature suffered intense censorship and a language barrier. Only minor works on poetic and religious themes appeared. These were years of great isolation, with many imprisoned or exiled.
Franco Era: Stage 2
With the defeat of allied regimes, Franco liberalized the regime for international tolerance. Public expression in Catalan was authorized, new publishers and literary prizes emerged. Catalan literature resurfaced, broadening its horizons.
Franco Era:
Read MoreEtruscan and Roman Art and Architecture
Etruscan Architecture
The Temple
Although inspired by the Greek temple, the Etruscan temple boasts a unique structure. Resting on a high stone podium, it featured a tetrastyle Tuscan column porch on the main facade. Behind this porch were three doors leading to three parallel cellas, each dedicated to a major Etruscan divinity. The gabled roof held sculptural decorations and polychrome terracotta plates protecting the wooden beams. While echoing Greek temples, the core structure served as a model
Read MoreCatalan Literary Renaissance: From Romanticism to Modernism
Catalan Literary Renaissance
From Romanticism to Modernism
Early Romanticism (1830-1840)
The Renaixença, a cultural and literary movement in Catalonia, rediscovered Catalan culture and society. This period coincided with early Romanticism. Poetry predominated, with figures like J. Rubió i Ors publishing collections that marked the movement’s beginnings.
Consolidation (1850-1860): Romantic Realism
The Floral Games provided cohesion, serving as a platform for writers and promoting language standardization.
Read MoreSpanish Renaissance Prose and Narrative
Spanish Prose of the Renaissance
Introduction
Political, religious, and literary exchanges between Italy and Spain flourished from the mid-15th century, fostering a rich cultural interchange. Castilian prose continued to develop throughout the 16th century, alongside numerous Latin studies. Works in Castilian became increasingly common, exploring diverse topics. This period distinguishes between didactic and narrative prose.
1. Didactic Prose
The dialogue was a prominent didactic format, with over
Read MoreHistory and Evolution of the Catalan Language
The Catalan Language: 18th to Early 20th Century
The 18th Century: Military Occupation and Repression
The 18th century began with the War of Succession following the death of Charles II. Catalonia largely supported Charles of Austria, while Castile favored Philip of Anjou. Philip V’s victory and the subsequent 1715 Decree of Nueva Planta suppressed Catalan institutions. Catalan was no longer official and faced persecution, leading to a decline in its use. Prohibitions on Catalan affected education,
Read MoreSpanish Novel’s Evolution in Democracy
The Spanish Novel’s Evolution in Democracy
The end of the dictatorship, the restoration of the monarchy, and the advent of democracy in Spain ushered in a new literary era starting in the last quarter of the 20th century.
A key characteristic of this period is the shift away from the experimentalism of previous decades. A new generation of writers emerged, returning to classic storytelling, prioritizing plots that captivated readers. This marked a resurgence of the novel’s narrative function, which
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