Vida de Fermín Galán (Biografía política)

Published in 1931, "Vida de Fermín Galán (Biografía política)" is a pivotal work by José Díaz Fernández (1898-1941) and Joaquín Arderíus (1885-1969). These authors, central to the "Generación de 1930" and the "literatura de avanzada" movement, sought to "rehumanize art" by fusing individual and collective revolutionary aspirations, directly challenging the "dehumanization of art" prevalent at the time.

This "political biography" transcends traditional historical accounts by employing a novelistic approach, bringing literary techniques to the genre. It focuses on Fermín Galán (1899-1930), a military officer and republican hero whose life and execution for leading the Jaca uprising against the monarchy in 1930 became an emblematic symbol for the generation.

The book, part autobiography and part historical fiction, narrates Galán's journey from a soldier in Morocco (1919-1925) to a revolutionary leader. It vividly portrays his disillusionment with the colonial war and the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, his growing political consciousness, and his involvement in various republican conspiracies. The narrative unfolds through dynamic prose, internal monologues, and sharp dialogues, placing the reader within the intense political and social climate of Spain leading up to the Second Republic.

The authors, who were also personal friends and co-conspirators with Galán, infuse the biography with a sense of intimate knowledge and shared ideals. They present Galán's vision of a "Nueva Creación" (New Creation)—a new, redemptive civilization based on peace, justice, love, and fraternity for all humanity—which tragically contrasts with his execution.

"Vida de Fermín Galán" is more than a historical account; it is a powerful call to action for a disillusioned Spanish youth, advocating for ideas and social justice over blind obedience. Víctor Fuentes's introduction meticulously contextualizes the work within the intellectual and political landscape of the era, highlighting its enduring relevance as a testament to revolutionary idealism and the sacrifices made for the Spanish Republic.