The commemoration, driven by the Institució de les Lletres Catalanes, aims to foster a renewed reading of Clementina Arderiu's work and solidify her place in Catalan literature.
"Rereading Clementina Arderiu today is much more than an exercise in memory. It is an opportunity to recognize the depth of her vision, her literary sensitivity, and her fundamental contribution to Catalan poetry," stated the Minister of Culture, Sònia Hernández. She highlighted the involvement of professionals from various fields in promoting her poetry, publishing her complete works, and linking them with other artistic disciplines.
The event was also attended by the director of the Institució de les Lletres Catalanes, Eduard Escoffet, and the Year's curator, Maria Callís, who emphasized that Arderiu aligned herself with a "feminine lineage and, perhaps because of it, a more universal one than ever before."
The commemoration focuses on the poet's work, moving beyond traditional biographical interpretations, and promoting a fresh approach.
The event featured a commented recital by poet and researcher Noèlia Díaz Vicedo and singer Mar Grimalt, followed by a performance by singer-songwriter Anna Andreu, who set Arderiu's compositions to music. The stage direction was by Raquel Tomàs.
Clementina Arderiu (Barcelona, 1889-1976) crafted a poetic work with a distinctive voice over more than six decades. Her output, though brief, is concise and well-crafted, encompassing forms such as the song, the elegiac long verse, and the short verse, exploring notable psychological depth and emotional ambivalence.
The Clementina Arderiu Year, celebrated in 2026, aims to definitively establish her as a key lyrical figure of 20th-century Catalan literature and encourage her reading among new generations.
The commemoration, spearheaded by the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Institució de les Lletres Catalanes, includes literary, educational, artistic, and academic activities to promote the knowledge and study of her work.
Highlights include the academic symposium "Mon voler se’m fa rebel" on October 9th at the Universitat de Barcelona, the exhibition "Si visc no visc". L’aventura poètica de Clementina Arderiu at the Arxiu Nacional de Catalunya (from October 15th to November 12th), and lectures on her relationship with painter Olga Sacharoff at the MNAC and the Museu d’Art de Girona on November 7th and 14th.
