The Legacy of Lorca: Laying Claim to the Genius of Lorca

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On this anniversary of his death, the Gazpachomonk investigates the Legacy of Lorca, offering this small insight, a free Poster to download, an Ode to the Poet, and links to the comprehensive Lorca Podcast by Pilar Orti. 

When Freddy Lorca wrote that "In Spain the dead were more alive than in any other country" - was he perhaps foreseeing his own legacy - a magical legacy of mystery, mysticism and controversy?

Having studied Lorca at University 25 years ago I had always wondered how he could be embraced as a national hero by both those that had applauded him, and those that had assassinated him. 

Indisputably Lorca was a supporter of the 2nd Republic. And indisputably he was killed by the fascists at the outbreak of the civil war. But other than that, what did we really know?

Was Lorca the darling of the arty left  - or -  was Ex-Prime Minister and Evil Goblin Aznar correct when he said of Lorca: "Poetry has no ideology, it is but spirit and beauty."
 

To claim Lorca as theirs, the Political Right must sanitise him, cleanse him and deny his sexuality turning him into a romantic Iberian, a "true" Spaniard. Whilst the Political Left embraces his internationality, his agenda for a better world - but  overlook his close friendship with certain members of the 'falange'. 

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So what did Lorca himself say?

"The artist and in particular the poet, is always an anarchist in the best sense of the word."

Was Lorca secretly a member of Anonymous?  What did he mean by the "best sense of the word"?

For the answer we must look at the Spain of the 1930s'
The Anarchists in Catalonia opened free schools which prohibited political doctrine, emphasising individual artistic and creative development. Anarchism represented the highest ideals in the arts - equality of opportunity, equality of the sexes,  - a freedom of education and freedom of expression unparalleled in any other political movement of the time. 

Perhaps this is what Lorca meant  - perhaps this is his legacy to Spain - or to what many still describe as the two Spains'. Whatever the conclusion, his revolutionary poetry will continue to inspire others  - such as this little known and recently discovered treasure:

ODE TO LORCA by a relatively unknown poet: G. P. Monk. 

Ode to Memory of Lorca

(Recently Discovered)

Freddy Lorca Not...
from Mallorca,
lyrical maker
Poetical Creator Not
to be confused 
With Skytrain maker,
Freddy Laker

Freddy Lorca Not...
a New Yorker.
Romancero Gitano,
Granadino,
Pre Obama
his Barraca.
Next to the anarchist
Torero,
everyones hero
Shot cold.
Still being sold

 
Freddie Lorca You...
Anarchic Andaloo 
Of the 27 Crew.
True but to
You,
Walker
Talker
Freddy Lorca

Ideas to celebrate Lorca Day: 
1: Listen to the complete Lorca podcast here. 
2: Grab the poster above and cut out Lorca's face and wear it as a mask. Then, with copy of Romancero Gitano in hand, stroll into your nearest bar - one arm held aloof -  and treat the punters to a random poem.