La leyenda patria facts for kids
| Author | Juan Zorrilla de San Martín |
|---|---|
| Original title | La leyenda patria |
| Country | Uruguay |
| Language | Spanish |
| Genre | Romanticism, poem |
|
Publication date
|
1879 |
La leyenda patria (The Fatherland Legend) is a famous national epic poem from Uruguay. It was written in 1879 by the well-known Uruguayan poet Juan Zorrilla de San Martín.
This poem is like a long, exciting story told in verse. It tells the heroic tale of a group of revolutionaries called the Thirty-Three Orientals. Their brave actions helped lead to the creation of modern Uruguay.
What is "La leyenda patria"?
"La leyenda patria" is a special type of poem known as a national epic. It's a long story that celebrates the history and heroes of a country. This poem was written in the style of Romanticism. This was a popular art and literature style in the late 1800s that focused on strong emotions, nature, and heroic deeds.
The poem is often called a chanson de geste, which means a "song of deeds." It tells the story of the fight for independence in the Río de la Plata region. This region includes parts of what is now Uruguay and Argentina.
The Thirty-Three Orientals
The main heroes of "La leyenda patria" are the Thirty-Three Orientals. This was a small but very brave group of patriots. They wanted to free their homeland from foreign rule. In 1825, they launched a rebellion that helped start the process of Uruguay becoming an independent nation.
Their actions were very important for Uruguay's history. The poem celebrates their courage and their dream of a free country.
A Poem of Patriotism
Juan Zorrilla de San Martín wrote "La leyenda patria" very quickly, in just one week! It has 413 verses, which is quite long for a poem.
The poem was first read aloud by the author himself in 1879. This happened at a special event to dedicate a monument to independence in Villa de la Florida. People were amazed by how quickly he wrote it and how powerful the poem was.
"La leyenda patria" became popular right away. It helped Juan Zorrilla de San Martín earn the special title of Poet of the Fatherland. This title showed that he was recognized as a great national poet who truly captured the spirit of his country.
See also
In Spanish: La leyenda patria para niños
