A deep insight into the life of Josep Pla
This summer presents an exceptional opportunity to immerse yourself in the fifteen hundred pages of ‘A Furtive Heart’, the biography of Josep Pla signed by Xavier Pla. This work has generated wide resonance due to the relevance and richness of details it offers: there is hardly a work with so much content in the Catalan area. It is a realistic narrative from the 19th century that chronicles a nation and its culture from the perspective of an individual who defended absolute freedom. Xavier Pla’s work allows us to delve into various phenomena of the 20th century, since it is evident that Josep Pla was involved in many of them.
The crucial role of the Selecta publishing house
A topic of great interest is the resumption of publishing activity after the civil war. Initially, authorized Catalan publications consisted of titles of little interest, such as complete works or specializations, but this would evolve over time, and Josep Pla would play an important role. The Selecta publishing house, led by Josep M. Cruzet, played a fundamental role in this process, contributing significantly to the preservation and dissemination of Catalan literary heritage.
Restoring literary integrity
Over time, other publishers and editors, such as Barcino, Club Editor, Ela Geminada, Adesiara, Grup 62, Jordi Cornudella, Andreu Rossinyol, Jordi Raventós, Lluïsa Julià, Adriana Bàrcia, Gemma Bartolí or Agnès Prats, have played a role crucial in the restoration of the original texts of prominent Catalan authors that had been previously altered.
A significant chapter in literary life
One of the most notable chapters is the disagreement between Josep Pla and the Selecta publishing house, particularly in relation to Guimerà’s complete work. This episode exemplifies the difficulties that still arise when trying to understand the importance of this literary figure and his extensive legacy, a situation that has changed with the new literary perspectives provided by contemporary experts.
The centenary of Àngel Guimerà
Today marks the centenary of the death of the writer Àngel Guimerà, a playwright, poet and politician whose legacy continues to be the subject of study and interpretation. Despite the widespread dissemination of some of his best-known works, the complexity of his person and his work has been overlooked, a phenomenon that is changing with new research and publications that offer modern interpretations of his writings.
The revaluation of Guimerà
Various experts, such as Xavier Alberti, Albert Arribes, Toni Sala, Josep Maria Benet i Jornet and Ricard Salvat, have provided new tools to analyze Guimerà’s work from a contemporary perspective, which has sparked renewed interest in his literary legacy. Beyond his most famous works, we seek to promote the reading of his poems, articles and other theatrical works that have been less known.
Reevaluation of theatrical works
It is important to highlight the need to expand the dissemination of Guimerà’s lesser-known works, such as ‘Jesús que torna’ or ‘La festa del blat’, thus adding a more complete perspective on his literary production. The Guimerà year represents an opportunity for an exhaustive re-reading of his texts, exploring themes such as homoeroticism, nature, technology, war, Europe, the city, anarchism, desire and love.