Lluís Juste de Nin facts for kids

In 2014

Lluís Juste de Nin (born 1945 – died May 21, 2020) was a talented Spanish illustrator, cartoonist, and fashion designer. He was known for his creative work in fashion and his powerful cartoons. His drawings often appeared in publications that spoke out against the government of Francisco Franco in the 1960s. During this time, he signed his work with the name "El Zurdo," which means "The Lefty." For many years, he also created illustrations for articles by writer Manuel Vázquez Montalbán in a newspaper called Mundo Obrero.

A Creative Career

After democracy returned to Spain and the government of Catalonia (the Generalitat de Catalunya) was re-established, Lluís Juste de Nin was asked to create a special character. This character, named La Norma, helped teach people about the Catalan language and encourage its use. This was part of a campaign to make the language more common and accepted.

Throughout the 1980s, Juste de Nin drew a weekly page for the magazine Canigó. His series, called Petant la xerrada, showed everyday life in Catalonia. For these drawings, he used a different signature: L’Esquerrà.

In 2004, he released his first graphic novel, "Els Nin. Memòries a llapis d'una família catalana." This book told the story of his own family, who were also artists and creators.

Designing for Parades and Plays

In 2006, Lluís Juste de Nin designed a special float for the "Three Kings Parade." This parade was celebrating a "Year of the Book." His float featured a happy Don Quixote and Sancho surrounded by children holding giant crayons. They rode on a huge book decorated with Rocinante’s head.

He also worked as a costume designer. In 2008, he designed the costumes for the first-ever performance of the opera La Celestina in Madrid. He was also a member of several cultural groups, including the Foundation Andreu Nin and Òmnium Cultural. He also served on the board of the National Museum of Art in Catalonia.

Lluís Juste de Nin passed away on May 21, 2020, after battling cancer.

His Amazing Works

Lluís Juste de Nin created many graphic novels and illustrated books, often retelling classic stories or exploring historical events. Here are some of his notable works:

• Croniques a Llapis (2007) – This was a series of fictional stories based on the history of Catalonia in the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Montecristo 1941 (Edicions de Ponent) – A graphic novel inspired by Alexandre Dumas' famous work. It was set in Barcelona during the time of Francisco Franco, starting in 1941.
• El Guepard 1970 (2008) – Based on Giuseppe di Lampedusa's story, this book looked at Spain's journey to democracy. It ended with the failed attempt to take over the government by Antonio Tejero in 1981.
• Barcelona 1931 (L'Educació Sentimental, 2009) – An adaptation of Gustave Flaubert's work, set in Barcelona during a time of big changes and revolution. It followed the story of a law student named Frederic Morell.
• El Quart Poder (2010) – This book was based on Guy de Maupassant's Bel Ami. It took place in Barcelona in the 1920s, during the time of Miguel Primo de Rivera. It showed the world of newspapers, nightlife, and the city's less formal side.
• La Muntanya Magica (2011) – An adaptation of Thomas Mann's work, set between 1900 and 1914.
• La Fira de les Vanitats (2012) – A new version of William Thackeray's Vanity Fair, set in Barcelona in the 1800s.
• La Guerra dels Besavis (2013) – Set in Catalonia in 1833, this was a love and war story over seven years. It featured characters from different sides of a conflict.
• Rauxa, la Catalunya Rebel, 1925 to 1931 (2014) – This story was about the "Roaring Twenties" and Catalans who went to Paris during the rule of Miguel Primo de Rivera. A journalist named Pep Pubill had to escape Barcelona and joined a Catalan movement. His journey took him to places like Uruguay, Argentina, Cuba, and New York City.
• Quan de tu S'Allunya, de l'ocupació de Paris a la caça de bruixes (2015) – This book told the story of Catalans escaping German-occupied Paris in June 1940. It also showed their lives as exiles in New York, where they faced the threat of McCarthyism (a time when people were unfairly accused of being disloyal).
• Andreu Nin, siguiendo tus pasos (2016) – This book explored the life of Joaquim Maurin, a Catalan revolutionary. It also touched upon Andreu Nin, who was assassinated in 1937.
• Itaca (2016) – This was a version of "The Odyssey" set in the Mediterranean in 1936.
• GARBO, El espía catalán que engañó a Hitler (2017) – This exciting story was about two Catalans, one fictional and one real: Joan Pujol, known as "Garbo." Joan Pujol played a huge role in World War II by tricking Hitler into believing the Allied invasion would happen in Calais, not Normandy.
• VERGÜENZA! (2018) – "La grandeur touchée."
• EL NOI (2019) – Salvador Seguí (El Noi del Sucre): Life and death of a free man.

Awards and Recognition

Lluís Juste de Nin received several awards for his creative work:

• In 2003, he was given the Antoni Gaudi medal for creativity by the President of Catalonia.
• In 2010, he won the first Nautilus prize at Comic City in Badalona. This award recognized his important contributions to Catalan comics.

See also

In Spanish: Lluís Juste de Nin para niños