El viaje transatlántico de Rafael Alberti en 1935

Abstract

This article studies, from the perspective of Transatlantic Studies, literary works by Rafael Alberti along with archival documents concerning his travel to the Americas in 1935. In his poetry collection, 13 bandas y 48 estrellas. Poema del Mar Caribe and travel diary, ‘Encuentro en la Nueva España con Bernal Díaz del Castillo’, published in 1936, Alberti challenges the traditional perception of Latin American republics as former colonies. Although Alberti insists on his affiliation with the anti-imperialism of the Comintern, the article reveals an underlying conflict in the dialogue established by the Spanish poet within the American space. His writings rework components of conservative political doctrine such as Hispanoamericanismo and literary exoticism. In addition, Alberti exploits Hermann Keyserling’s conception of tellurism to shape his vision of the Americas. The article shows how the innovative message of solidarity with Latin America emerges in Alberti’s work on the basis of a complex ideological and aesthetic ground.