Other Worlds: Spain
Federico García Lorca Centenary
1998 is the centenary of the birth of Federico García Lorca (1898-1936).
Federico Garcia Lorca is one of the premier literary figures,
not only in Spain, but throughout the world. His work consists
of various novels, short stories, and poetry as well as painting
and drawing.
On August 19, 1936, Lorca was beaten and assassinated.
Though it is known that the order was given by Ramon Ruiz
Alonso, under whose command he was acting remains a mystery.
He was accused of subversive activity, however evidence today
suggests that it was a hate crime in response to his homosexuality.
His entire body of work remained censored until Franco's death
in 1975. This did not, however, prevent him from becoming
one of the most widely read writers in the world.
Poetry
El torero
"No hubo príncipe en Sevilla
que comparársele pueda,
ni espada como su espada
ni corazón tan de veras.
su maravillosa fuerza
y como un torso de mármol
su dibujada prudencia.
Aire de Roma andaluza
le doraba la cabeza,
donde su risa era un nardo
de sal y de inteligencia"
"There was no prince in Seville
who could compare,
neither sword as his sword
nor heart as true.
Like a pride of lions
his wonderful strength
and like a torso of marble
his prudence drawn.
Air of Andalucian Rome
gilded his head,
where his laugh was a lily
of charm and intelligence."
Tardará mucho en nacer, si es que nace,
un andaluz tan claro, tan rico de aventura.
Yo canto su elegancia con palabras que gimen
y recuerdo una brisa triste por los olivos.
(de su obra:"Llanto por Ignacio Sánchez Mejías")
Ignacio Sánchez Mejías
Delayed much in being born, if he is born,
an Andalucian so noble, so honest.
I sing his elegance with words that moan
and memory a melancholy breeze for the olive trees.
(from his work: "Weeping for Ignacio Sánchez Mejías")
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