Ever lived in a house that pulsed with poetic energy? Right here at the Manuel Altolaguirre y Concha Méndez Plaque, we commemorate such a place. This plaque marks a home where two brilliant minds intertwined. Manuel Altolaguirre and Concha Méndez lived here between 1935 and 1936. They were poets and printers.
Manuel Altolaguirre was born in Málaga in 1905. He died in Burgos in 1959. His love for printing and poetry began early. At 19, he founded the magazine “Ambos”. This was only the beginning for him. He later co-founded “Litoral” in 1924 with Emilio Prados and José María Hinojosa. “Litoral” became a haven for the rising stars of the Generation of ’27.
Concha Méndez was born in Madrid in 1898. She died in Mexico in 1986. Federico García Lorca introduced Manuel and Concha. Before Manuel, she was involved with Luis Buñuel. With Manuel, she found both love and a creative partnership. Their collaboration lasted through their exile in France, Cuba, and Mexico.
This house was more than just a home. It was a hub for literary innovation. Here, Manuel and Concha set up their printing press. They published influential magazines. “Caballo verde para la poesía” was one of them. Pablo Neruda directed this magazine. Their press also produced books under the “Héroe” collection. Pedro Salinas’ “Razón de amor” was one such book. The first edition of Luis Cernuda’s “La realidad y el deseo” was also printed here.
The lives and works of Manuel Altolaguirre and Concha Méndez are well-documented. They were significant figures in 20th-century Spanish literature. Two notable poetry collections published under the “Héroe” label include Manuel Altolaguirre’s “La lenta libertad” and Concha Méndez’s “Niño y sombras”.
Their story is one of artistic passion and shared vision. They were forced into exile due to the Spanish Civil War. Their legacy remains alive through their poems and printed works. The Manuel Altolaguirre y Concha Méndez Plaque reminds us of their time here. It also reminds us about their contribution to Spanish literature. Take a moment to reflect on the power of words. Remember the spirit of creativity that once filled this very space.