The neopopularism It was a poetic-literary current related to the well-known Generation of 27. In addition, its beginnings have been linked to the post-romantic era, a movement that emerged during the nineteenth century through the influence that some Spanish authors had from the German Heinrich Heine.
Neopopularism in Spain was also a consequence of the need to rescue what is popular and traditional. Because during the early years of the 20th century they had been absorbed by the modernist and avant-garde currents, directed above all towards the universal and elite.
This movement was mainly Andalusian, it was characterized by developing the metrics of the verses in a similar way to that of traditional poetry, that is, to those that have passed from generations to others. It was also a sample of the spiritual feeling about the popular and ingrained.
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The origin of neopopularism has been framed within the poetic works that were developed after romanticism, that is, in the post-romantic era that emerged in the nineteenth century. Spanish authors and writers were inspired by the German poet and essayist Heinrich Heine.
The movement grew, gaining momentum as currents such as Modernism and Vanguardism were gaining space, leaving aside the force of popular traditions. It was there that the need arose to renew one's own and traditionalist literature so that it would not be forgotten..
The main precursors of neopopularism were Augusto Ferrán, Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer and Rosalía de Castro. Each of them developed their poetic work within the so-called popular songs, culture and folklore of the main Spanish regions.
Within what was the neopopularist movement, and its intention to rescue and preserve the traditional and costumbrista, the following Spanish intellectuals also took action previously:
Among the precursors of neopopularism we must also mention those who dedicated themselves to studying traditions, folklore, culture and popular customs. Some of them were:
Neopopularism was characterized by reproducing the traditional forms of popular Spanish songs of the 15th and 16th centuries. Its representatives did it through a profound change, both in the verses and in the themes, achieving with this, little by little, to overcome the Avant-garde and Modernism.
The language used in neopopular poetry was simple and direct, without being crude or clumsy, it was also characterized by being expressive, often sublime and sentimental. The topics developed were about landscape, culture, nature, dances, traditions.
The movement also had as characteristic elements the development and preference for free verses, and an excessive musicality. A short meter was incorporated, represented mainly by the sequence and the romance, that is, four and eight verses respectively..
Other of the peculiarities of neopopularism was the taste of its authors to develop themes of the Andalusian idiosyncrasy. It was also oriented to describe in such a way that the words became images, while balance, elegance, naturalness and passion were also present..
He was a Spanish writer, poet and playwright who belonged to the Generation of 27. His work has been one of the most prominent, influential and popular in 20th century literature; with a predominance of neopopularism, through the songs and traditional characteristics of his native Granada.
Within neopularism, his most outstanding works were:
- Cante jondo poem (1921).
- Gypsy romance (1928).
It was one of the most representative works of Lorca, where he developed themes related to the moon, the sky, the night and the end of life. The book consisted of eighteen romances, or series of eight-syllable verses; It was popular in nature, with the presence of Andalusian and gypsy elements.
"The moon came to the forge
with his bustle of spikenard.
The child looks at her, looks
the child is looking at her.
... Flee moon, moon, moon.
If the gypsies came,
they would do with your heart
white necklaces and rings ... ".
He was a Spanish writer and poet, member of the Generation of 27. His poetic work was characterized by the influence of popularism, surrealism, as well as by the work of Luís de Góngora. In addition, her poetry was political, she wanted to awaken consciences, and melancholic after her life in exile..
His main neo-popular works were:
- Sailor ashore (1925).
- The lover (1926).
- The Wallflower Dawn (1927).
It was part of the first creative stage of Rafael Alberti, related to popularism, more commonly with the typical songbooks. The writer, with this work, nostalgically expressed the memories he had of the city where he was born, Cádiz, and, above all, his connection with the sea.
"... moaning to see the sea,
a little sailor on land
hoist this lament to the air:
Oh my sailor blouse!
The wind always inflated it
when spotting the breakwater ".
Emilio Prados was a Spanish poet assigned to the Generation of 27. His literary work was characterized by the development of lyricism within pure poetry and neopopularism. In addition, his lyrics reflected elements of surrealism, avant-garde.
His most outstanding works were:
- Weather (1925).Six stamps for a puzzle (1925).
- Songs of the lighthouse keeper (1926).
- Return (1927).
This poetic work by Prados was conceived during his younger years at the Student Residence. Therefore, it belonged to the times of the influence of pure and popular poetry, where the writer expressed his lyrical perception of nature and his surroundings..
"From the highest balcony of my lighthouse,
I angling.
Twenty meters of yarn
and a silver hook.
Of the last rainbow trimmed
on the early morning cardboard,
lemon and quicksilver, mince a bream,
hanging on the perch of my trap ... ".
Gerardo Diego was a Spanish writer and poet, member of the Generation of 27. His work was oriented towards neopopularism or traditional poetry, as well as within the characteristics of avant-garde. Romance, sonnets and tenths were part of his lyrics.
Among the most important works of the author, regarding the movement of neopopularism, the following stood out:
- The cypress of the silos
- The romance of the bride (1920).
- Soria. Gallery of prints and effusions (1923).
- Human Verses (1925).
- Romances 1918-1941 (1941).
It was the author's first book, representative of the verses in romance metrics. In the collection of poems, Gerardo Diego developed traditional themes, oriented a little towards telling and making his own life popular. The influence of Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer and Juan Ramón Jiménez was notorious.
"It was a sad night,
an inclement February night,
I used to cross the streets
alone with my boredom
while the rain incessantly fell
from the top of the sky.
Already the devotees, hurry the step,
they were returning from the temple ".
Dámaso Alonso was a Spanish writer, philologist and man of letters, as well as a member of the Royal Academy of History and the Royal Spanish Academy. Although he has been considered as part of the Generation of '27, he has also been included within the generation of poets immediately after the war..
His literary work was characterized by his creative capacity, as well as the presence of existential and aesthetic traits. His first works were influenced by the writer Juan Ramón Jiménez and his pure poetry, and then he moved on to a poetry of uprooting that was more reflective.
Among the most representative works of neopopularism were the following:
- Pure poems. Poemillas of the city (1921).
- The wind and the verse (1925).
It was Alonso's first work, with a marked influence from Juan Ramón Jiménez, within what was pure poetry. In them he used a simple and clear language, also made use of free verses, characteristic of neopopularism, as well as developed sonnets.
"The safe door.
Wine remains and smooth.
Neither matter nor spirit. Brought
a slight inclination of the ship,
and a morning light of clear day.
It wasn't about rhythm, it wasn't about harmony
nor color. The heart knows,
but say what it was like I couldn't
because it is not a form, nor does it fit ... ".
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