Víctor Alba facts for kids

Víctor Alba, a Spanish writer and journalist.

Víctor Alba (born Pere Pagès i Elies) was a Spanish politician, journalist, and writer. He was born in Barcelona in 1916 and passed away in Sant Pere de Ribes on March 10, 2003. He was known for his strong views against the type of communism led by Stalin. Later in his life, he became a university professor.

Life and Work

Víctor Alba started studying law at the University of Barcelona when he was young. He quickly began his career as a political journalist. He joined a group called the Workers and Peasants' Bloc (BOC). Later, this group joined with another, the Workers' Party of Marxist Unification (POUM). Alba then worked for the POUM.

Spanish Civil War and Exile

During the Spanish Civil War, Alba was the editor of La Batalla. This was the main newspaper for the POUM. In May 1937, he was arrested by forces loyal to General Franco. He spent six years in jail in Valencia. After he was released, he had to leave Spain. This is called going into exile. He moved to France and worked with the famous writer Albert Camus.

Life in Mexico and the US

In 1947, Víctor Alba moved to Mexico. There, he wrote many books in Spanish, French, Catalan, and English. He became the director of a center for social training. In 1957, he moved to the United States. He worked with different international groups. He also became a professor at the University of Kansas and Kent State University in Ohio. At first, he believed in Marxist ideas. But during his time in exile, he changed his views. He started to support social democracy and became against communism.

Later Life and Return to Spain

Víctor Alba retired from Kent State University in 1974. He then returned to Spain, his home country. He lived there until he passed away in 2003.

His Writings

Víctor Alba wrote many books in different languages. Here are some of them:

• Els supervivents. (1950) – A novel about Barcelona after the war.
• Historia del comunismo en América Latina. (1953) – A history of communism in Latin America.
• Mexicanos Para La Historia. (1955)
• The Latin Americans. (1969)
• Retorn a Catalunya. (1970)
• Catalunya sense cap ni peus. (1971)
• Homo sapiens catalanibus. (1974)
• USA, centre de la revolució mundial. (1974)
• Catalonia. A Profile. (1975)
• El pájaro africano. (1975) – A novel that was a finalist for a big book prize.
• El marxisme a Catalunya. 1919–1939. (1974–1975) – A series of books about Marxism in Catalonia.
• Els problemes del moviment obrer de Catalunya. (1976)
• Historia de la resistencia antifranquista, 1939–1955. (1978) – A history of resistance against Franco.
• Todos somos herederos de Franco. (1979)
• Sísifo y su tiempo. (1996) – His memoirs, which are like a life story.

See also

In Spanish: Víctor Alba para niños