18 December 2023

Where have I been?


It's been a while, no, it's been years since, I put this blog together, and, as you can tell, it's been years since I last wrote anything.

I've really missed the many hours I spent researching Spanish history and of course writing about it. 

I've decided in 2024 to remove everything I've written on here and then relist it with additional information and edits as well as researching and writing more about Spanish culture, history, architecture and art.

I'm currently building a portfolio on Barcelona but there are so many wonderful parts of history that I'm having trouble narrowing it down as to which one I'd love to research first. 

I'd also like to continue my research about Antoni Gaudi, too.

Here's to bringing my blog back to life this year!

21 March 2017

FEDERICO GARCIA LORCA


Federico Garcia Lorca was a man of words, many words. Yet, he chose them carefully; in portraying his heartfelt love for a man who could and did betray his own heart.

Love blossoms in the naked air, dancing.........evolving- Maria Elena

I wish to share with you some of Federico Garcia Lorca's most beautiful and entwining quotes:

"To burn with desire and keep quiet about it is the greatest punishment we can bring on ourselves"


"With their souls of patent leather, they come down the road. Hunched and nocturnal, where they breathe they impose silence of dark rubber, and fear of fine sand."

"The Poem, the song, the picture, is only water drawn from the well of the people, and it should be given back to them in a cup of beauty so that they may drink-and in drinking understand themselves"

"The duende is a force not a labour, a struggle not a thought. i heard an old maestro of the guitar say: "The duende is not in the throat: the duende surges up, inside, from the soles of thee feet." Meaning, it's not a question of skill, but of a style that's truly alive: meaning, it's in the veins: meaning, it's of the most ancient culture of immediate creation."


Federico Garcia Lorca; a young, handsome, poet, who was sadly murdered in cold-blood. 

Never fearing his inevitable end!

20 May 2016

CASA VICENS, BARCELONA, ANTONI GAUDI

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO INTERACT BY ASKING QUESTIONS, IF YOU HAVE A STORY/EXPERIENCE/HOLIDAY(S) ABOUT THE ARTICLE(S) PUBLISHED, OR EVEN JUST TO LEAVE FEEDBACK; APPRECIATION GOES A LONG WAY FOR ME!
MANY THANKS!

CASA VICENS

The initial blueprints, which provided the roots to Casa Vicens, was to provide a private home and garden. The private land was inherited to Senor Manuel Vicens from his mother at the end of August 1877. Senor M. Vicens nominated Antoni Gaudi to address renovations and extensions to the facades and floors. Gaudi sculptured various cultural representations such as, Hispanic, Arabic, Oriental, and Indian themes which ultimately made each room independent. This unique, exotic, and newly renovated home was greeted with an enthusiastic appeal to its residents of Barcelona.  

Antoni Gaudi is one of a kind! It doesn't matter how many times I look at his projects I always find something new-much like a Salvador Painting!


Just consider the time difference between then and now. Today we have computerised blueprints, newer and reliable equipment, a fresher eye to nature. In that era everything was man-made-to the last inch of detail. It is another reason why antiques sell for a scroll of notes. Here are some of the finer touches that Gaudi brought to this beautiful Casa.






25 April 2016

Santiago Calatrava-World Trade Centre Transportation Hub



Santiago Calatrava is one of the most famous and expressive designers in the world. His unique ideas he has developed identifying constructions leaving an impressible footprint.
In 2008 Calatrava was appointed as the new architect who’d design the new PATH station for the World Trade Centre site. The Transportation Hub is composed of a train station with a large and open mezzanine under the National September 11 Memorial plaza. This mezzanine is connected to an aboveground head house structure, called the Oculus, located between the two WTC’s. The station is designed to connect the PATH to the NYC subway and to facilitate a below ground east-west passageway connecting to various modes of transport.
The PATH’s new design-commonly identified as the Oculus-has been described as, “eye-popping and consisting of ribs of steel.”
World Trade Centre is a terminal station situated in lower Manhattan for PATH rail service.
The PATH’s initial identity was the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad. (Aka H&M). The blueprints were within accessible reach of consideration in 1874, however the required structure wasn’t classified as safe to fit and expand under the Hudson River. With a mutual recognition as to what structure would cater for weight, weather conditions, and such….construction began on the existing tunnels in 1890. However, due to disputes over pay, they abruptly stopped when funds ran out. Construction resumed in 1900 under a new, sturdy, ambitious, and motivational, young man by the name of William Gibbs McAdoo-a lawyer who had moved to New York from Tennessee. McAdoo remained and later became the president of what was known, for many years, as the H&M.
The far north of the first tunnel was built without an excavation shield or iron construction because of the chief of engineer of that time, Dewitt Haskin, believed that the river silt was strong enough to maintain the tunnel’s form-with the help of compressed air-temporarily until a 76cm brick lining could be constructed. Haskin’s plan of action was to excavate the tunnel first, and then once empty, fill it with compressed air to expel any remaining water; holding the iron plate lining in place. The tunnel was built successfully-approximately 1,200 feet from Jersey City. A disaster that resulted in the loss of 20 workers meant the project came to an end.
In 1902, third time lucky perhaps, the construction on the tunnels began again-this time under another chief engineer Charles M. Jacobs. Jacob’s structural design-on paper-was applauded with a much more positive belief that this new method would work. Tubular cast iron plating was appointed first, then an enormous mechanical shield was pushed through the silt at the bottom of the river. The stubborn mud was then displaced into many a sections that made easier work in it being placed into a chamber, where it was then later shovelled away from the progressing construction. For the most stubborn mud the silt was baked with kerosene torches to make-way for an easier removal. The southern part of the tunnel was constructed in the same fashion. The tunnels were completed in 1906. A second lot of tunnels was built 1 ¼ miles south of the first pair. Again, they were completed in 1906 and was also formed with the latter methods. The tunnels were made to separate each track-with the finalising purpose of a better ventilating area.
So, when a train passes through the tunnel it pushes out the air in front of it toward the closest ventilation shaft in front, and “sucks-in” the air to the tunnel from the closest ventilation shaft behind it.
On the 19th July, 1909, the first service was announced between Hudson Terminal in Lower Manhattan and exchange Place in Jersey City through the downtown tubes. The connecting line between exchange place and the junction near Hoboken Terminal was opened on the 2nd August, 1909.
The project that connected the uptown Manhattan extension to 33rd St and the westward extension to the now-defunct Manhattan Transfer and Park Place Newark terminus was complete in 1911.

In the mid-20th century, the lines connecting Newport and Exchange place were eventually closed and demolished. Many meetings took place not long after in the attempt to negotiate more terminal connections. However, the majority of those were turned down.
In the 1950s H&M began to heavily fall into the arms of bankruptcy, yet despite this, continued to operate. This caused them much embarrassment and when asking out for more links authorities were not keen on assuming any partnership given the money-losing situation.
The construction of the World Trade Centre helped shake hands within the three parties. The port Authority agreed to purchase and maintain the Tubes in return for the rights to build the World Trade Centre on the land occupied by H&M’s Hudson Terminal-the lower Manhattan terminus.
In 1962 the Hudson and Manhattan railroad was completed and began service.
With the successful increasing riders using the PATH system it was a given that infrastructures needed expanding and rehabilitation to secure the weight and locations.
In December, 1992, a severe storm was liable for extensive flooding within the PATH tunnels-this hugely effected any incoming wage with the services out of bounds for ten days.
A large section of a ceiling in the PATH station collapsed and trapped many citizens when the World Trade Centre was targeted by a terrorist attack.
From the 9/11 attacks some areas within the station, including the floor and the signage on the northeast corner were only lightly damaged in the collapse of the WTC. Prior the collapse, the station had been closed and any passengers remaining were evacuated by an already stationed train.
PATH service at Lower Manhattan was restored with a new $323 million second station opened on the 23rd November, 2003. Many areas within the stations are divided by initial construction and that of recent modifications. It no longer has heating or air conditioning system installed.
On the 7th July, 2006, a rumour to detonate explosives in the PATH tunnels was uncovered by the FBI.
“””On July 7, 2006, an alleged plot to detonate explosives in the PATH tunnels (initially said to be a plot to bomb the Holland Tunnel) was uncovered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The plot included the detonation of a bomb that could significantly destroy and flood the tunnels, endangering all the occupants and vehicles in the tunnel at the time of the explosion. The terror planners believed that Lower Manhattan could, as a result of the explosion, be flooded due to river water surging up the remaining tunnel after the blast. Officials say that this plan was unsound due to the strength of the tunnels. Since semi-trailer trucks are currently not allowed to pass through the Holland Tunnel, and it was unfeasible to carry such a bomb on board a PATH train, it was very difficult to get sufficient explosives into the tunnel to accomplish the plan. If the tunnel were to explode and allow water from the Hudson River to flood the (Holland) tunnel, Lower Manhattan would be spared since the area is 2–10 feet (0.61–3.05 m) above sea level. Of the eight planners based in six different countries, three were arrested”””-Google search site!
In January 2010, Siemens announced PATH would be spending a further $321 million to upgrade its signal system using Siemens. The idea is to eliminate any chaos between trains and its times to cater for increase passengers.
On the 8th May, 2011, a PATH train crashed into a platform injuring 34 of its passengers.
29th October, 2012: PATH was suspended due to Hurricane Sandy. The terminals were out of bounds for another 10 days as a result of the damage caused by the hurricane. A video, captured from security cameras within the PATH were shared socially amongst webpages.
Once the hurricane had died down and normality began again the re-opening of the terminals were welcomed with a longer service time and extensive journeys.
On the 7th January, 2013, an escalator at exchange place reversed itself resulting in five people being hurt.

PATH terminals have been setting scenes for music videos, adverts, and TV Programs.
Recently, Spanish Architect. Santiago Calatrava, designed The World Trade centre Transportation Hub which opened to the public in March, 2016. The terminal design is that of an elliptical winged pavilion, serving as the main concourse. Below the ground are many networks of pathways and many links to the rail and subway lines.
The purpose of the design is to represent a bird in flight. It is against white walls that resembles ribs and has an ultimate skeletal appearance. The initial idea was to have an operable roof, so that the pavilion’s two wings could move up and down.
Inside the building, on operable skylight stretches near 330 feet along the curved roof. The skylight will be opened on warm days and will definitely be open on 11th September of every up-coming year.
The oval-shaped piazza is paved with chosen marble flooring and has two levels of retail space. Both western and eastern sides feature viewing platforms. The retail areas are still under construction and are expected to open by August, 2016.
Natural light combing with the sculptural form gives beauty to the building.
The Western part of the station is still undergoing construction work.
The exterior was completed first with the interior still being worked on.
Calatrava unveiled his designs in 2004 with a staggering $3.9 billion estimate in the project’s cost. The cost was double the original estimate. Calatrava was proud of his participation in what he described as, “complex and unique”

17 August 2015

Virginia Ruiz-anti-bullfighting activist jumps in ring


Virginia Ruiz, 38, attended the Corrida de toros (English term-Bullfighting) on the 13th August 2015 on a day that had free admission. Malagueta’s bullring in Malaga, Spain, has a seating plan for 9000 people. Yet, despite it being a free admission day, only 1500 people attended.
Virginia Ruiz was one of them, but she wasn't as passionate as those in the crowd.
Virginia Ruiz has been involved in anti-bullfighting activities since 2008. Her intention for being there was to film the “cruelty in the ring.” Soon as she heard the bull cry out in pain she jumped down and walked towards him. “Because I was walking, not running, they (the crowd) didn't yet realise I am an activist until I got very close to the bull. He was still alive before they could do the final stabbing with the small knife in the back of the neck. He was crying, he tried looking at people,” she said.
In a desperate bid to eliminate the bull from any more pain she jumped into the bullfighting ring in order to comfort the now dying bull.  She spread her body over the bull, shielding him. “I could hear him crying in pain and I jumped down, walked across the ring to where he lay dying,” Virginia Ruiz explained. “He looked at me and I believe he felt my energy. I wanted to give him love before he left this earth.” Arena officials by this time had also entered the ring where they violently hauled her away. The majority of the 1500 fans were hauling abusive comments towards her, shouting “Fuera!” (-get out!) According to Ms Ruiz, “…they called me names. They kicked me, spat on me and called me a whore.”
The bull was stabbed to death.
In a bid to remove the dark tradition that is linked to Spain Ms Ruiz wanted to tell the world: “(Bullfighting) doesn't represent us. There is more to Spain than bullfighting.”

Ms Ruiz had, illegally, entered the ring. For this reason she could be fined up to 6000 Euros for trespassing. 


I have, in the past, written about Spanish Bullfighting-which you can find on this blog.

I kept my opinion to myself.




10 May 2015

What remains of Miguel de Cervantes


26-Cervantes2-AFP.jpg




Miguel de Cervantes witnessed, in his lifetime, the climax and the decline of Spain’s Golden Era; imbued with heroic exploits. Born into a destitute family; the 4th son in a strong family of 7 children.

His father, Rodrigo, worked as a surgeon, yet, despite the necessity of surgeons, the salary was underprivileged and had little to offer his family.
I am not aware of Miguel de Cervantes early life but, given the circumstances in which he and his family lived, it would have been highly doubtful he received a formal education. In 1569, aged 20, Miguel moved to Rome, Italy.

He served as a respectable valet to a wealthy priest for a while.
It wasn’t long after when he, and his brother Rodrigo, signed up to the Spanish Navy Infantry Regiment and both were involved in the battle of Lepanot, where, eventually the Spanish gained dominance of sea-power against the Turks.  
His compassion and leadership didn’t go unnoticed when he placed himself into a direct firing line in order to subtract the enemy. However, in doing so he received two shots in his chest and a wound that destroyed the use of his left hand. Given the circumstances in which his hand was wounded, it become somewhat heroic signature and many a people applauded his bravery.
Even Don Juan, the Austrian half-brother of Phillip who commanded the Spanish Forces, congratulated his being with a document of recommendation. After a long period of recovery Miguel re-joined the army in which he participated in the famous battle of La Goleta.
He also served in Tunis, Sardinia, Naples, Sicily and Geona-in which he learned a lot about the Italian culture. 


Miguel and Rodrigo was returning to Spain when their ship was captured by Moorish Pirates and both brothers were to be sold as slaves in Algiers. The Moorish Pirates believed Miguel important, given the letters of recommendations he always carried.
Miguel, famously, devised many plans in escaping, not only for his own freedom, but for the numerous of slaves held captive. Unfortunately he kept failing and was caught, declaring himself the only culprit in escaping-knowing full well of the punishment reserved for escapees.
Hassan Pacha, one of the bloodthirsty Algiers, was impressed with the boldness and bravery of the maimed Spaniard and always spared him.
Rodrigo was released before Miguel due to a ransom that was paid when demanded.
Miguel, after five years, was also released after his ransom was paid sometime after.

Miguel returned to Spain in 1580, with no job to go home to.
Don Juan, who was hated by the King, had died during Miguel’s captive years so Miguel could not rely on any promotion through the Kings recommendations.
Miguel was desperate for money, and out of desperation, he started writing for the theatre. (He, reportedly, had written up to forty plays but only a few have survived). 
During his writing days Miguel had an affair with a beautiful Portuguese girl who eventually abandoned him and their daughter Isabel de Saavedra. At the age of forty, and still unsuccessful in his writing career, Miguel married the daughter of a well-to-do Farmer, Catalina Salaza y Vozmediano, although it never lasted long.

He was in his poorest of moments; having to support himself, his wife, Isabel, his mother and two sisters and his widowed mother-in-law. He applied for many a jobs and was eventually given a job. Only Miguel found bookkeeping complicated and was “twice imprisoned” for owing money to the treasury from a shortage in his accounts.”

Many people believe it was in Seville’s prison where he began to write Don Quixote.
Don Quixote is an adventurous book that narrates the life of Don Quixote, an older man obsessed with bravery and believes himself a knight.
Bad spells of misfortune didn’t end even out of prison, yet despite this he finally completed his book in 1604.
It was an immediate bestseller but money remained tight, as he received no further payment other than the money originally paid by his publisher.
During the ages 57 and 69 Miguel published his Exemplary Novels, twelve stories of Spain; which were based on perceptive accounts of the local Spanish life of that time in his life.

Death was slowly catching up to Cervantes.
He wrote, from his deathbed:

“With one foot already in the stirrup and with the agony of death upon me, great lord, I write to you.”
And…

“…perhaps the time may come when I mend again this broken threat and say what worlds fail me here and what needed to be said. Farewell waggish jokes, farewell wittiness; farewell, merry friends, for I am dying and longing to see you, happy in the life to come.”

Cervantes died in Madrid the 22nd April 1616 and buried on the 23rd April 1616.
The latter is used to celebrate his and that of William Shakespeare.
“Shakespeare and Cervantes died on different days: Shakespeare on 23rd April 1616 of the Julian calendar that was used in England and Cervantes 23rd April 1616 of the Gregorian calendar that was used in Spain. Since the Gregorian calendar was ten days ahead of the Julian, Cervantes actually died ten days earlier than Shakespeare, whose date of death according to the Gregorian calendar was 3rd May 1616.”


Here is what I reported a few months ago:
Miguel de Cervantes, the first known Spanish novelist, was reportedly buried in the Convent of the Barefoot Trinitarians-a nunnery in Madrid’s historic Barrio de Las Letras. Isabel was part of the convent and that was why he chose to be buried there prior his death. Not long after his death the nuns moved to another convent and carried their dead with them. Nobody knows for certain if Cervantes remains were included. The convent of the Barefoot…was reconstructed in 1673, making it even harder to target to precise location of his grave. Since then it has been a mystery.

This time last year forensic experts spent nine months locating five possible locations for his grave, using a geo-radar system inside the convent’s walls. The aim was to complete the investigation, with a reliable source, by 2016-when organised events will celebrate the anniversary of the legendary Miguel and playwright W. Shakespeare. Miguel’s novel: The adventures of the Ingenious Gentlemen Don Quixote of La Mancha changed Spanish Literature.

On Saturday 24th January 2015, forensic experts discovered a coffin underneath the convents floor; previously covered in bookcases and crates left behind by the publishing company which had rented the building. To their surprise the coffin was marked with initials M.C. which sent positive vibes around the world.

With deformed hands, crippling arthritis and severe bruising to his chest from a shot he sustained in the Battle of Leptanto, it goes to show he wasn’t the most healthiest nor wealthiest of character.

The forensic team were hoping to provide evidence that would determine how he died. Did he died from being a heavy drinker or, from a reported case of cirrhosis?

There are no photographs of Cervantes, only a painting that was painted two decades after his death by the artist, Juan de Jauregui. Once the examination is complete it could potentially allow us an insight to what he may have looked like.  

The search for Cervantes burial place had a budget of fifty Euros. In previous years the financial backing, provided by the Spanish government, for exhuming and identifying the tens of thousands of unidentified victims in mass burials from the Civil War, has been very limited.

There are as many as 130,000 victims of General Franco’s death squads remaining in unmarked graves across Spain. A few regional authorities, such as Andalusia, have provided financial backing for investigations.

However, since 2011 the National funding for such projects has dried up.

…………………………………………

May 2015:

A year ago a forensic team mapped more than 30 burial cavities in the walls and nearly 5 metres beneath the floor of the church, for the search of Miguel de Cervantes remains. The wooden and cloth found in these cavities were dated to the 17th century. Although it was encouraging to the team it was far from what they wanted to find. The only encouragement they got was the coffin they found with M.C. encrypted into the nail heads, along with a jumble of skeletal remains. The remains caused much confusion without being able to identify anyone specifically; amongst the remains were the bones of children. DNA isn’t much use to the forensic team as they do not know any descendants of Cervantes. Many coincidences cannot guarantee.

The convent of the Barefoot Trinitarians is still home to many Nuns. 30 researchers have searched the grounds with infrared camera, 3-D scanners and ground penetrating radar. Tourists from around the world gather to his so called birthplace, a house in Alcala de Henares, near Madrid, despite the obvious fact that the house was built in the 1950’s. The authorities within Madrid, worry the continuous search for the remains of the Spanish Writer, will, in fact, reduce the enhanced writer’s aura. We cannot deny a good mystery grips ones interest more than inconclusive reports. Too many mysteries can also have the opposite effect where theories can be too overpowering and become somewhat repetitive and boring.  The only thing that is guaranteed is the love of relics and the uprising market value.

On the 17th March 2015 The Mail Online reported: “Remains discovered in Madrid chapel ARE those of Don Quixote author Cervantes: Archaeologists solve mystery of writer’s resting place after bones vanished in 1673.” And, given the status of such a famous writer, it would have caught much attention around the world. Yet, despite the gripping headline, further into article they state: Researchers admitted that they had not managed to identify the exact bones, but were convinced they had found something of Cervantes.”

It is fair to say it was such a disappointment to realise you have been conned.

Madrid officials hoped the findings of Cervantes bones would benefit their culture like the bones of Shakespeare did for Stratford upon Avon. And in order to get the media attention they needed The Madrid City Council owned up to outrageous and far from the truth headline. The desire of tourism doesn’t justify bending the truth. Madrid has a lot to offer and doesn’t nor shouldn’t need to spin the truth in order to gain tourism.

Overall:

I don’t believe they will ever find conclusive evidence. And, in some way I hope we don’t. His remains should be kept where they are.





23 November 2014

Gitanos: How much do you know about their history?

First of all thank you for coming on to my blog, I hope you will enjoy the many subjects I have yet to offer. My aim is to engage my readers into opinionated reviews; to build up a conversation on thoughts; whether you agree or disagree with what I have to say per subject. If you have been to any of the festivals I have mentioned, or visited any locations, please feel free to share your experience(s). If you do not wish to leave a comment, how about ticking the boxes that allows me a better understanding of what you gained through reading my work. Once again, thank you!



I became inspired by numerous of Flamenco dancers; designed in oil paintings or watercolours. I love anything to do with Flamenco dancing; but I am aware of the term Flamenco; the background of Gitano's. If I could, if I could turn back time, the history of Gitanos would never have happened; no discrimination, nor persecution or death. However, had the repercussion never existed, would Flamenco be as strong as it is today? Would the powerful three pillars be still standing?
Throughout their awful history, they remained strong, never defeated, even in the hands of death did they collapse into someone other than they are.





To spread the arms; like the flight of a bird; wingspan spreads amongst the freshness of the sky; freedom. Freedom from sorrow and loss, freedom from persecution and discrimination...free from a society that once withheld their rights. To dream in a postcard of such a classic rhythm is but prejudice, without understanding. Flamenco is a healer, a way of life; it is nor choreographed or fighting for recognition. If you look within their eyes, the way their lips tremble, the way their posture is precise.
They; the discriminators or the naïve call Gitanos rebels; really? How can you label Gitanos rebels when they dance to remove inner pain, or joy? Their weapon is their spoken soul; they do not hide inner emotions, they speak out in coordination. 


I have been studying the dark history that persecuted gitanos from 1499 Medina del Campo. I have been studying for many months now and I hope to do my readers proud once completed. It has been a hell of a roller-coaster ride, and I am nowhere near finished.

26 October 2014

Spain and Catalan's influence(s)

Welcome:


Here is a fresh page dedicated to some of Spain and Catalan's greatest influences.




"Everyone wants to understand art. Why not try to understand the songs of a bird? Why does one love the night, flowers, everything around one, without trying to understand them? But in the case of a painting people have to understand. If only they would realize above all that an artist works of necessity, that he himself is only a trifling bit of the world, and that no more importance should be attached to him than to plenty of other things which please us in the world, though we can't explain them."

"Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success."

"Good artists copy, great artists steal."

"Everything you can imagine is real"

-PABLO PICASSO






"There is only one difference between a madman and me. The madman thinks he is sane. I know I am mad."

"Drawing is the honesty of the art. There is no possibility of cheating. It is either good or bad."

Surrealism is destructive, but it destroys only what it considers to be shackles limiting our vision."


-SALVADOR DALI




"Simplicity is the glory of expression."

"The art of art, the glory of expression and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity."

"To me, every hour of the day and night is an unspeakably perfect miracle,"

-WALT WHITMAN




"There are no straight lines or sharp corners in nature. Therefore, buildings must have no straight lines or sharp corners."

"Nothing is art if it does not come from nature."

"Anything created by human beings is already in the great book of nature."

"In the Sagrada Familia, everything is providential."

-ANTONI GAUDI



"To burn with desire and keep quiet about it is the greatest punishment we can bring ourselves."

“But hurry, let's entwine ourselves as one, our mouth broken, our soul bitten by love, so time discovers us safely destroyed.”

“The artist, and particularly the poet, is always an anarchist in the best sense of the word. He must heed only the call that arises within him from three strong voices: the voice of death, with all its foreboding, the voice of love and the voice of art.”

FEDERICO GARCIA LORCA








18 August 2014

Anniversary week: The assassination of Federico Garcia Lorca



“In Spain the dead are more alive than the dead of any other country in the world.”
― Federico García Lorca

This week marks the anniversary of the most prolific Spanish poet; Federico Garcia Lorca, who was assassinated under Franco’s regime; August 1936.

Federico Garcia Lorca-full name-Federico del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus Garcia Lorca-became fascinated by folklore music from the age of 2. His father-Don Federico Garcia Rodriguez-was a very energetic man, owning many acres of land for farming-inherited from his ex wife and father-in-law. His mother-Vicenta Lorca Romero-was a teacher and keen pianist. Due to the already growing talent of his family, Lorca loved performing puppet shows, and playing the piano.  His life was suffused by the government’s prerogative towards homosexuality and it was the discrimination he was assigned to that ultimately lead to his assassination. He was a very talented young man who loved to write. Moving to Madrid to study he associated himself with a group of artists that included: Salvador Dali and Luis Bunuel. We gain folklore imagery through Lorca's poetry. His poems speak volume of love, life and death. Federico Garcia Lorca became obsessed with death, addressing so in his poems. During his time in Madrid he and Salvador Dali became very close, but Salvador Dali had his own inner demons and removed himself away from Lorca. 

Lorca became depressed due to breaking his relationship with sculpture Emilio Aladren and the continuous distance made by Dali. During this time he agreed to provide lectures in Cuba and New York, spending 12 months in the USA between 1929 and 1930.

Whilst travelling through America, Lorca came across a small group of Spanish intellectuals residing in New York; they welcomed him with open arms. One of the Spanish intellectuals-Federico de Onis- was a Spanish Professor who taught English at Columbia University. Taking the advice from Onis, Lorca enrolled on an English class. However, his lack of interest derailed him from achieving an appraisable pass. Lorca was particularly interested in the City and socialising with his new-found friends. On his travels he visited Harlem where he frequently attended a Jazz Club; it was here that Lorca began to see the dark side of America. Lorca noticed the communication between the rich and the ethnic minority; having a close bond with social minorities-Gypsies-blacks-Jews- and any oppressed people who were degraded and excluded from the welfare society. Lorca spoke out for the poor and the disadvantage people who were afraid to. It was becoming more and more clear that behind the American curtain was a broken city that dehumanised those they saw undeserving. During his stay in America he witnessed the 1929 crash that resulted in financial misery. He wrote his emotional feelings and experiences in his book “Poeta en Nuevo York.”

In 1930 Lorca returned to Spain forming a company-La Barraca-in order to present Spanish classical drama to provincial audiences. He wrote many a plays e.g. Yerma, Blood Wedding, The house of Bernarda Alba, The Public and so forth. He used the ability of his characters to vocalise his inner thoughts and demons. He became obsessed with the way gypsies lived and he spent many times joining their company.

In August 1936, shortly after the outbreak of the Spanish civil war, Lorca was executed by a Falangist firing squad. There isn’t any evidential proof that can vouch for the real reason-if this can ever be justified- as to why he was premeditatedly assassinated; lined up in unknown territory with three other men he was shot-twice. His death resulted in him becoming an international symbol of political repression adding to his legend; a sacrificial victim. During Franco’s regime Lorca’s books were banned and burnt and his name was forbidden

So, now that I have given you limited background of his life here is my main purpose: I wanted to somehow create a page that I could dedicate to Federico Garcia Lorca, to somehow show my appreciation for who he was and what he brought to the world. So, I share with you my favourite quotes of his, photographs that shows him smiling-happy-quotes from his plays, and poems. It is not too late, if you have a favourite quote/photograph/poem/ then please contact me and let me know and I shall show it on my blog-with your name underneath-



“To burn with desire and keep quiet about it is the greatest punishment we can bring on ourselves.

“Only mystery makes us live, only mystery.”

“Everyone understands the pain that accompanies death,
but genuine pain doesn’t live in the spirit,
nor in the air, nor in our lives,
nor on these terraces of billowing smoke.
The genuine pain that keeps everything awake
is a tiny, infinite burn
on the innocent eyes of other systems.”




-----This is a poem written by Allen Ginsberg 1926-1997-----



What thoughts I have of you tonight, Walt Whitman, for I walked down the side streets


under the trees with a headache self-conscious looking at the full moon.



In my hungry fatigue, and shopping for images, I went into the neon fruit supermarket
dreaming of your enumerations!

What peaches and what penumbras! Whole families shopping at night! Aisles full of husbands!
Wives in the avocados, babies in the tomatoes!—and you, Garcia Lorca, what were you doing by down by the watermelons?

I saw you, Walt Whitman, childless, lonely old grubber,
 poking among the meats in the refrigerator and eyeing the grocery boys.


I heard you asking questions of each: Who killed the pork chops?  


What price bananas?  Are you my Angel?
I wandered in and out of the brilliant stacks of cans following you,
and followed in my imagination by the store detective.
We strode down the open corridors together in our solitary fancy tasting artichokes,
 possessing every frozen delicacy, and never passing the cashier.



Where are we going, Walt Whitman?  The doors close in an hour. 


Which way does your beard point tonight?
(I touch your book and dream of our odyssey in the supermarket and feel absurd.)
Will we walk all night through solitary streets?  The trees add shade to shade, lights out in the houses, we’ll both be lonely.
Will we stroll dreaming of the lost America of love past blue automobiles in driveways, home to our silent cottage?
Ah, dear father, graybeard, lonely old courage-teacher, what America did you have when Charon quit poling his ferry and you got out on a smoking bank and stood watching the boat disappear on the black waters of Lethe?


The author imagines himself walking through a supermarket and seeing Walt Whitman and Federico Garcia Lorca just shopping-so ordinary?-
This poem was forwarded onto me by Mason West a very intelligent friend of mine from Google+
I had not read this poem, until Mason West shared it with me. I had to share it because it is sentimental, yet there is a touch of humour-“and you, Garcia Lorca, what were you doing down by the watermelons?”
It is just a delightful poem!


I was sent this photograph and exert from G. G. Gonzalez (Thank you very much for doing so-such a charming young man he is in this wonderful photograph)






Blinded the source of your saliva, 

son of the dove, 
grandson of the nightingale and the olive 
you will be, as the earth go and return, 
husband always evergreen, 
Honeysuckle manure father. 


(excerpt from "Elegy" dedicated to Lorca)


Federico Garcia Lorca - Ode to Salvador Dali

A rose in the high garden you desire.
A wheel in the pure syntax of steel.
The mountain stripped bare of Impressionist fog,
The grays watching over the last balustrades.

The modern painters in their white ateliers
Clip the square root's sterilized flower.
In the waters of the Seine a marble iceberg
Chills the windows and scatters the ivy.

Man treads firmly on the cobbled streets.
Crystals hide from the magic of reflections.
The Government has closed the perfume stores.
The machine perpetuates its binary beat.

An absence of forests and screens and brows
Roams across the roofs of the old houses
The air polishes its prism on the sea
and the horizon rises like a great aqueduct.

Soldiers who know no wine and no penumbra
behead the sirens on the seas of lead.
Night, black statue of prudence, holds
the moon's round mirror in her hand.

A desire for forms and limits overwhelms us.
Here comes the man who sees with a yellow ruler.
Venus is a white still life
and the butterfly collectors run away.
Cadaqués, at the fulcrum of water and hill,
lifts flights of stairs and hides seashells.
Wooden flutes pacify the air.
An ancient woodland god gives the children fruit.
Her fishermen sleep dreamless on the sand.
On the high sea a rose is their compass.
The horizon, virgin of wounded handkerchiefs,
links the great crystals of fish and moon.
A hard diadem of white brigantines
encircles bitter foreheads and hair of sand.
The sirens convince, but they don't beguile,
and they come if we show a glass of fresh water.
Oh Salvador Dali, of the olive-colored voice!
I do not praise your halting adolescent brush
or your pigments that flirt with the pigment of your times,
but I laud your longing for eternity with limits.
Sanitary soul, you live upon new marble.
You run from the dark jungle of improbable forms.
Your fancy reaches only as far as your hands,
and you enjoy the sonnet of the sea in your window.
The world is dull penumbra and disorder
in the foreground where man is found.
But now the stars, concealing landscapes,
reveal the perfect schema of their courses.
The current of time pools and gains order
in the numbered forms of century after century.
And conquered Death takes refuge trembling
in the tight circle of the present instant.

When you take up your palette, a bullet hole in its wing,
you call on the light that brings the olive tree to life.
The broad light of Minerva, builder of scaffolds,
where there is no room for dream or its hazy flower.
You call on the old light that stays on the brow,
not descending to the mouth or the heart of man.
A light feared by the loving vines of Bacchus
and the chaotic force of curving water.
You do well when you post warning flags
along the dark limit that shines in the night.
As a painter, you refuse to have your forms softened
by the shifting cotton of an unexpected cloud.
The fish in the fishbowl and the bird in the cage.
You refuse to invent them in the sea or the air.
You stylize or copy once you have seen
their small, agile bodies with your honest eyes.
You love a matter definite and exact,
where the toadstool cannot pitch its camp.
You love the architecture that builds on the absent
and admit the flag simply as a joke.
The steel compass tells its short, elastic verse.
Unknown clouds rise to deny the sphere exists.
The straight line tells of its upward struggle
and the learned crystals sing their geometries.
But also the rose of the garden where you live.
Always the rose, always, our north and south!
Calm and ingathered like an eyeless statue,
not knowing the buried struggle it provokes.
Pure rose, clean of artifice and rough sketches,
opening for us the slender wings of the smile.
(Pinned butterfly that ponders its flight.)
Rose of balance, with no self-inflicted pains.
Always the rose!
Oh Salvador Dali, of the olive-colored voice!
I speak of what your person and your paintings tell me.
I do not praise your halting adolescent brush,
but I sing the steady aim of your arrows.
I sing your fair struggle of Catalan lights,
your love of what might be made clear.
I sing your astronomical and tender heart,
a never-wounded deck of French cards.
I sing your restless longing for the statue,
your fear of the feelings that await you in the street.
I sing the small sea siren who sings to you,
riding her bicycle of corals and conches.
But above all I sing a common thought
that joins us in the dark and golden hours.
The light that blinds our eyes is not art.
Rather it is love, friendship, crossed swords.
Not the picture you patiently trace,
but the breast of Theresa, she of sleepless skin,
the tight-wound curls of Mathilde the ungrateful,
our friendship, painted bright as a game board.
May fingerprints of blood on gold
streak the heart of eternal Catalunya.
May stars like falconless fists shine on you,
while your painting and your life break into flower.
Don't watch the water clock with its membraned wings
or the hard scythe of the allegory.
Always in the air, dress and undress your brush
before the sea peopled with sailors and ships.

What is your opinion of this poem?


And the last poem I wish to share with you is his most famous poem of them all.

Lament for Ignacio Sanchez Mejias

1. Cogida and death

At five in the afternoon.
It was exactly five in the afternoon.
A boy brought the white sheet
at five in the afternoon.
A frail of lime ready prepared
at five in the afternoon.
The rest was death, and death alone.

The wind carried away the cotton wool
at five in the afternoon.
And the oxide scattered crystal and nickel
at five in the afternoon.
Now the dove and the leopard wrestle
at five in the afternoon.
And a thigh with a desolated horn
at five in the afternoon.
The bass-string struck up
at five in the afternoon.
Arsenic bells and smoke
at five in the afternoon.
Groups of silence in the corners
at five in the afternoon.
And the bull alone with a high heart!
At five in the afternoon.
When the sweat of snow was coming
at five in the afternoon,
when the bull ring was covered with iodine
at five in the afternoon.
Death laid eggs in the wound
at five in the afternoon.
At five in the afternoon.
At five o'clock in the afternoon.

A coffin on wheels is his bed
at five in the afternoon.
Bones and flutes resound in his ears
at five in the afternoon.
Now the bull was bellowing through his forehead
at five in the afternoon.
The room was iridescent with agony
at five in the afternoon.
In the distance the gangrene now comes
at five in the afternoon.
Horn of the lily through green groins
at five in the afternoon.
The wounds were burning like suns
at five in the afternoon.
At five in the afternoon.
Ah, that fatal five in the afternoon!
It was five by all the clocks!
It was five in the shade of the afternoon!

These are just some of my favourite poems/quotes of Federico Garcia Lorca.

IS THEY ANYTHING SPECIFIC YOU WISH TO KNOW ABOUT FEDERICO GARCIA LORCA THAT I COULD LOOK UP FOR YOU?

I did not want to place too much information regarding Lorca due to my current research. It is going to take a very long time because there are many leads, many directions….


I hope I have done this page worthy, for you, and for Lorca himself!















HERE IS WHERE YOU, MY FRIEND, MY READERS COME INTO THIS:

WHAT IS IT ABOUT FEDERICO GARCIA LORCA THAT YOU ADMIRE?


WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTES, POEMS OR PLAYS?

WHAT DO YOU THINK TO HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH SALVADOR DALI?


SALUD!