Generation of '27 facts for kids

The Generation of '27 was a special group of poets and artists in Spain. They became famous between 1923 and 1927. These artists wanted to explore new and exciting forms of art and poetry. Their first big meeting was in Seville in 1927. They met to celebrate 300 years since the death of a famous old poet named Luis de Góngora. This meeting helped officially start their movement.

What's in a Name?

The Generation of '27 has many different names! People have called them the "Generation of Friendship" or the "Generation of Avant-Gardes." Sometimes they were called the "Generation of the Republic." It's like a group of stars, or a "constellation," because they were all connected.

Their Unique Art Style

This group had many different styles. Some members, like Jorge Guillén, wrote happy and joyful poems. Others, like Rafael Alberti, started with romantic poems. Later, they wrote about political ideas.

The artists wanted to mix old Spanish traditions with new European art styles. They started with "pure poetry," which focused on music in words. Then they explored styles like Futurism and Cubism. They were also inspired by Surrealism, which uses dream-like images. They often used free verse and strong, imaginative pictures in their poems.

After the Civil War, many of them went into exile. They continued to write and create art from other countries.

Who Were the Members?

The main poets of the Generation of '27 were:

• Jorge Guillén
• Pedro Salinas
• Rafael Alberti
• Federico García Lorca
• Dámaso Alonso
• Gerardo Diego
• Luis Cernuda
• Vicente Aleixandre
• Manuel Altolaguirre
• Emilio Prados

But many other artists were part of this group too! Some were older, like José Moreno Villa. Others were younger, like Miguel Hernández.

The Generation of '27 wasn't just poets. It included artists like:

• Filmmaker Luis Buñuel
• Painters like Salvador Dalí and Óscar Domínguez
• The painter and sculptor Maruja Mallo
• Musicians from the Group of Eight

Not all of them lived in Madrid. They were spread out across Spain. Important groups were in Seville, Tenerife, and Málaga.

The Spanish Civil War and What Happened Next

The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) changed everything for the group.

• García Lorca was tragically killed.
• Miguel Hernandez died in prison.
• Many others, like Rafael Alberti and Luis Cernuda, had to leave Spain. They lived in other countries but kept writing.

Some members, like Dámaso Alonso and Gerardo Diego, stayed in Spain. They tried to work with the new government. Others, like Vicente Aleixandre, quietly ignored the new rules. They helped guide new poets.

For many people in Spain, the art of the Generation of '27 felt a bit out of touch. They needed poetry that spoke more directly about the hard times they were living through. This led to a new group of writers called the Generation of '50.

See also

In Spanish: Generación del 27 para niños