La ciudad de los jóvenes: reportaje fantasía

_La ciudad de los jóvenes: reportaje fantasía_ (1971) by Aurora Bertrana (1892-1974) is a visionary utopian novel that profoundly explores human existence in a future society. Through the guise of a "fantasy report," a journalist from the fictional newspaper “Ara o Mai” (Now or Never) leaves his “City of the Old” to document the customs and lifestyle of the new generations in “The City of the Young.” This framework allows Bertrana to critique the patriarchal and conservative norms of Francoist Spain while envisioning radical alternatives.

In “The City of the Young,” traditional political parties are abolished, leaders are chosen by merit rather than power, and absolute equality between women and men is upheld, including sexual freedom and environmental respect. However, the most astonishing revelation is the citizens’ pursuit of a “single sex” (hermaphroditism) and the invention of an artificial uterus, aiming to liberate women from traditional reproductive roles. These advancements challenge notions of identity and gender, reflecting Bertrana’s deep engagement with early feminist theories akin to those of Simone de Beauvoir and Shulamith Firestone.

Bertrana’s work is also a powerful commentary on censorship, as revealed by the excised fragments from the 1971 manuscript (included in this edition). Despite her efforts to challenge rigid identity codes and promote a fluid understanding of masculinity and femininity, she subtly warns against the potential pitfalls of technological over-reliance and the commodification of sexuality. This edition highlights Bertrana’s role as a pioneer in Catalan literature, an intrepid traveler, and a committed feminist who, though often facing hostility, relentlessly pushed for social change and women’s emancipation through her diverse and unconventional literary output.