Carmen Baroja facts for kids
Carmen Baroja Nessi (born in Pamplona in 1883 – died in Madrid on June 4, 1950) was a Spanish writer and ethnologist. An ethnologist studies different cultures and peoples. She wrote under the pen name Vera Alzate.
Carmen came from a very talented family. Her brothers were the famous writers Ricardo Baroja and Pío Baroja. Her sons also became well-known: Julio Caro Baroja was an anthropologist (someone who studies human societies and cultures), and Pío Caro Baroja became a film director.
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Early Life and Artistic Journey
Carmen Baroja was the youngest child of Serafin Baroja and Carmen Nessi y Goñia. Her father, Serafin, was a Basque writer and poet. He worked as a mining engineer. Her mother had both Basque and Italian family roots.
When Carmen was born, her father was running a newspaper in Pamplona. It was special because it was written in both Basque and Spanish. After the newspaper closed, her family moved often because of her father's engineering work. They lived in places like Burjassot, Zestoa, and San Sebastián.
In 1894, her family moved to Madrid. They helped her aunt with her bakery, Viena Capellanes. Carmen went to Catholic girls' schools. She also had private lessons to learn French and music. Her father loved theater and music, so Carmen often went to concerts and plays.
Her brothers were already becoming famous in the art world. Ricardo was known as a painter, and Pío was publishing his first books. Through them, Carmen met many artists, writers, and thinkers. These people were helping to shape the new culture in Spain.
In 1902, Carmen became sick with typhoid fever. Her brother Pío suggested she go to a quiet place to recover. After she got better, she returned to Madrid. She decided to work with metals and enamels, even though her mother didn't like the idea.
In 1906, she traveled to London and Paris with her brother Pío. She studied art there. When she came back to Madrid, she became a skilled goldsmith. She made beautiful jewelry and became well-known for her craft.
The Lyceum Woman's Club
In 1913, Carmen married Rafael Caro Raggio. He was an editor, and they both loved art and learning. Their first son, Julio, was born in 1914. They later had three more children: Ricardo, Baroja, and Pío. For several years, Carmen focused on her family. In 1917, her husband Rafael started his own publishing company, Editorial Caro Raggio. It became very successful.
In 1926, Carmen became active in public life again. She helped create the Lyceum Woman's Club. This was a special group for women who wanted to defend women's rights. They worked for equal opportunities in education and work. The club had many talented members. These included artists, doctors, lawyers, politicians, scientists, and writers. Some famous members were Clara Campoamor and Victoria Kent.
The Lyceum Club held talks and lectures. These events were by invitation only. Still, some people saw the club as a threat to traditional society. They thought it challenged how women should behave. Some famous writers, like Federico García Lorca, supported the club. They even gave lectures there. But others were not so supportive. One writer called the club members "fools and madwomen."
Despite the criticism, the club achieved important changes. They helped change a law that said a wife must obey her husband. The new law stated that husbands and wives must protect and consider each other equally.
Life During and After the Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War started suddenly. Carmen was living with her children in Vera de Bidasoa. Her husband, Rafael, stayed in Madrid to work at his printing press. He experienced a very difficult time during the war.
During a bombing raid, Rafael's publishing house was destroyed. He had to go back to his old job at the post office. Rafael died in 1943, deeply affected by the war.
After the war, the building where the Lyceum Club met was taken over by another group. The club's records were burned, and the group broke up. Many members left Spain or went into exile. It was noted that the building itself had been left untouched during the war.
In 1947, Carmen bought a house with an olive grove in Tendilla. She loved her new home and land. She enjoyed simple things, like sitting under the walnut trees. After a few years, she became ill. Carmen Baroja died on June 4, 1950, from intestinal cancer.
Only two of her four children, Julio and Pío, survived her. Her other two children, Ricardo and Baroja, had passed away earlier.
Carmen's autobiography, Recuerdo de una mujer de la generación del 98 (Memories of a Woman of the Generation of '98), was published in 1998. This book shared her memories of the people she knew. It helped bring her story, and the stories of other talented women, into the light.
In Pamplona, a street is named after her: Calle Carmen Baroja Nessi.
Writings
- El encaje en España (1933; Lace in Spain)
- Martinito el de la casa grande (1942; Martinito of the Big House)
- Joyas populares y amuletos mágicos (1945; Popular Jewels and Magical Amulets)
- Tres Barojas: poesas (1995; Three Barojas: Poems)
- Recuerdo de una mujer de la generación del 98, (1998; Memories of a Woman of the Generation of 1898)
See also
In Spanish: Carmen Baroja para niños
