Catalonia A Self Portrait

"... a diverse collection of translations of 20th-century Catalan prose writings... This exploration reveals the achievements of a distinct culture flourishing within Spain and introduces to English readers the work of Catalonia's modern writers.... This title is an entertaining and well-conceived introduction to a relatively unknown culture." --Library Journal

"Those seeking direct access to the region's literary culture should turn to Catalonia: A Self-Portrait..." --The Philadelphia Enquirer

Some of this century's greatest names in Western art have been Catalan: architect Antoni Gaudí, painters Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró, cellist Pablo Casals, and singer Victoria de los Angeles, to name just a few. Catalonia's writers, however, are little known beyond the borders of the country, even though they are comparable in stature to their colleagues in the other arts. Catalonia, A Self-Portrait narrates a tale of extraordinary literary and artistic achievements by a minority culture that thrives within the larger, dominant cultures of Spain and Europe. The selections, twentieth-century Catalan classics, deal with contemporary Catalonia and its people, including some of the outstanding figures named above.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [221]-223 and index.

JOSEP MIQUEL SOBRER, Associate Professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Indiana University, is author of L'epica de la realitat, La doble soledat d'Ausias March, and El libre dels oracles, and co-editor of The Singers' Anthology of 20th-Century Spanish Songs.

Preface and Acknowledgments

Plan of Barcelona

Map of Catalonia

Introduction by J.M. Sobrer

I. Place

Carles Soldevila 15 The Art of Showing Barcelona

Joan Amades 38 Stones and the Cult of the Dead

Quim Monzo 55 Barcelona Beat

Merce Rodoreda 71 Two Stories

II. Time

Baltasar Porcel 83 A Succinct Explanation of Catalonia for Castilians

Jaume Vicens I Vives 95 The Catalans and the Minotaur

Joan Fuster 106 Maragall and Unamuno, Face to Face

Montserrat Roig 127 Catalans in Nazi Death Camps

Salvador Espriu 146 Two Parables

III. People

Josep Pla 157 Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926)

Joseph Palau I Fabre 191 Picasso and Catalonia

J.V. Foix 202 Three Painters and Four Colors

Pere Calders 214 Two Stories

Bibliography

Index of Proper Names and Terms