FEDERICO GARCÍA LORCA | Draw My Life

Summary

Federico García Lorca, born in 1898 in Granada, Spain, was a multifaceted artist with early interests in music and literature. He studied at the University of Granada and was influenced by prominent intellectuals. Lorca's work, including 'Impressions and Landscapes' and 'Gypsy Ballads,' gained him fame but also led to a personal crisis. His friendship with Salvador Dalí and travels to New York and Cuba enriched his life and work. Tragically, Lorca was executed in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War, leaving behind a profound literary legacy.

Takeaways

• 📚 Federico García Lorca was born on June 5, 1898, in Fuente Vaqueros, Granada, Andalusia, Spain.
• 🎼 In his youth, Lorca was more interested in music than literature and even studied piano, being known among his university friends as a musician more than a writer.
• 🏛️ Lorca enrolled at the University of Granada in 1914 to study Law, Philosophy, and Letters, where he was influenced by professor Martín Domínguez Berrueta.
• 🚶‍♂️ Travels with his professor and peers across various parts of Spain awakened Lorca's vocation as a writer, leading to his first book of prose, 'Impressions and Landscapes', published in 1918.
• 🌆 Lorca was part of the intellectual circle at the Café Alameda, also known as El Rinconcillo, where he met other young intellectuals in the spring of 1919.
• 🎨 His friendship with Salvador Dalí began in 1925, which greatly influenced both their lives and works, including Lorca's venture into painting and Dalí's encouragement of Lorca's writing.
• 📖 Lorca was part of the Generation of '27, characterized by the fusion of avant-garde movements, traditional forms, neo-popularism, and the use of metaphor and imagery in their works.
• 📚 Lorca's works, including 'Songs' and 'Gypsy Ballads', published in 1927 and 1928, were successful but also led to a personal crisis as he felt typecast as a 'costumbrista' and defender of gypsies.
• ✈️ In 1929, Lorca traveled to New York and later to Havana, Cuba, where he explored Cuban culture and music, and worked on new projects, which helped him economically independent.
• 🏛️ Upon returning to Spain in 1934, Lorca focused on his theatrical works, including 'Yerma', 'Doña Rosita of the Spinning', and the critically acclaimed 'The House of Bernarda Alba'.
• ☠️ The Spanish Civil War began in 1936, and despite initially being safe in Granada, Lorca was arrested on August 16, 1936, accused of being a Russian spy and being homosexual, and was executed on August 18, 1936.

Q & A

When and where was Federico García Lorca born?

Federico García Lorca was born on June 5, 1898, in the Andalusian municipality of Fuente Vaqueros, Granada.

What is the significance of Lorca's first house in Fuente Vaqueros?

Lorca's first house in Fuente Vaqueros is now a museum that can be visited, reflecting his early life and beginnings.

When did Lorca's family move to Granada city?

Lorca's family moved to Granada city in 1909 when he was 11 years old.

What were Lorca's interests during his adolescence?

During his adolescence, Lorca was more interested in music than literature, even studying piano.

What university did Lorca attend and what subjects did he study?

Lorca attended the University of Granada, where he studied law, philosophy, and literature.

Who was Martín Domínguez Berrueta and how did he influence Lorca?

Martín Domínguez Berrueta was a professor of literary theory and arts at the University of Granada. He influenced Lorca and his peers by taking them on trips that awakened Lorca's vocation as a writer.

What was the title of Lorca's first book in prose and when was it published?

Lorca's first book in prose was titled 'Impressions and Landscapes' and it was published in 1918.

What was the nickname of the café where Lorca and his intellectual friends used to meet?

The café where Lorca and his intellectual friends met was called 'El Rinconcillo'.

Who were some of the important writers and intellectuals Lorca associated with at the Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid?

At the Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid, Lorca associated with important writers and intellectuals such as Luis Buñuel, Rafael Alberti, and Salvador Dalí.

What significant event marked Lorca's friendship with Salvador Dalí and influenced both their lives and works?

Lorca's visit to Cadaqués to spend Easter with Salvador Dalí in 1925 and another long visit in 1927 marked a significant event in their friendship, influencing both their lives and works.

Which literary group did Lorca belong to and what were its characteristics?

Lorca belonged to the Generation of '27, characterized by blending avant-garde movements, traditional forms, neo-popularism, and addressing similar themes with the use of metaphor and tragic imagery.

What personal crisis did Lorca experience in the late 1920s and what were its causes?

Lorca experienced a deep personal crisis in the late 1920s due to being labeled as a costumbrista and defender of gypsies, his separation from the sculptor Emilio Aladré́n, and harsh criticisms of his work 'Gallito de Luxe'.

What was the purpose of Lorca's trip to New York in 1929?

Lorca's trip to New York in 1929 was an opportunity to distance himself from art, learn English, change his life, and renew his work.

What was Lorca's experience in New York and how did it affect him?

Lorca described his stay in New York as one of the most useful experiences of his life, being surprised by the capitalist economy and the treatment of African Americans.

What cultural and musical explorations did Lorca undertake in Havana, Cuba?

In Havana, Lorca explored Cuban culture and music and worked on new projects, such as 'Público'.

What significant work did Lorca create after returning to Spain in 1934?

After returning to Spain in 1934, Lorca created significant works such as 'Yerma', 'Doña Rosita de la Soltera', and 'La Casa de Bernarda Alba'.

What was the theme and social critique of 'La Casa de Bernarda Alba'?

'La Casa de Bernarda Alba' is a tragic play that critiques social norms, telling the story of a widow who imposes an eight-year mourning period on her daughters, leading to their isolation and the rejection of any suitors of lower social status.

What were the circumstances surrounding Lorca's death during the Spanish Civil War?

Lorca was arrested on August 16, 1936, accused of being a Russian spy and being homosexual. He was detained and eventually executed on the early morning of August 18, 1936, in Viznar.

Where is Federico García Lorca's body buried?

Lorca's body remains buried in an anonymous mass grave somewhere in the countryside near Viznar.