Figurative in style and sculpted by the Portuguese artist Barata Feyo, this work dedicated to Rosalía de Castro, the renowned Galician poetess, is located in Praça da Galiza, Porto, Portugal. It was inaugurated in September 1954 as a tribute to her literary and cultural influence, particularly her advocacy for the Galician language and the popular traditions of Galicia.
The statue, partially encircled by vegetation on the back and sides, represents Rosalía de Castro seated, with a serene and reflective expression. In front of her, public benches complete the intimate space of this small square. The simplicity of her clothes, carved in stone, reinforces her connection with the people, while her elevated position toward the sky reflects the profound emotions in her writings, establishing an emotional connection with those who observe her.
The monument's location in Praça da Galiza is no coincidence. This square, named Galicia in Portuguese, symbolizes the deep connection between northwestern Spain and Portugal. Galicia and Portugal share a common linguistic heritage, and Rosalía de Castro, by defending Galician, strengthens this connection with Portuguese, her sister language.
During the inauguration ceremony, Rosalía’s daughter, Gala Murguía, was present and accompanied the then mayor of Porto, José Albino Machado Vaz, in laying flowers at the monument.
Rosalía de Castro (1837-1885) is one of the most significant figures in 19th-century Galician and Spanish literature. She is primarily recognized for her poetic work in Galician, which helped revitalize and dignify a language that had previously fallen into marginalization. Her work Cantares Gallegos (1863) marked the revival of Galician literature, known as Rexurdimento (Resurgence). In this work, Rosalía portrays rural life, the pain of emigration, and Galician identity. In her famous poem “Adiós ríos, adiós fontes”, she portrays the suffering of those forced to leave their homeland—a recurring theme that resonates with the Galician diaspora.
Adiós, ríos; adiós, fontes;
adiós, regatos pequenos;
adiós, vista dos meus ollos:
non sei cando nos veremos.
Miña terra, miña terra,
terra donde me eu criei,
hortiña que quero tanto,
figueiriñas que prantei,
(Excerpt from Cantares Gallegos)
Another of her fundamental works is Follas Novas (1880), a collection of poems that explores personal pain, illness, and death; themes that reflect her life and fragile health. Her work, in both Galician and Spanish, is marked by a deep concern for the marginalized, particularly women and the poor. This social and political sensitivity has established her as a notable figure in women’s rights and social activism.
Today, Rosalía de Castro's legacy endures not only within literary circles but also in contemporary social movements, such as feminism and the promotion of minority languages and cultures. Her work has been rediscovered and revalued as a source of inspiration for those advocating for social justice and the preservation of cultural diversity.
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