LITERARY ROUTES
“A gentle sea breeze blew the leaves of the fig tree above their heads, its faint whisper kissed the rice paddies, creating rapid, fleeting undulations.”
Landscape in Terres de l’Ebre has inspired fragments of literature, like the extract you have just read from the novel “Terres de l'Ebre”, by writer Sebastia Juan Arbó (Sant Carles de la Ràpita 1902 - Barcelona 1984). Artur Bladé (Benissanet 1907 – Barcelona 1995) and Jesús Montcanda (Mequinensa 1941 – Barcelona 2005) are other great authors who have been so enchanted by the scenery in Terres de l’Ebre to write their stories. Different literary routes have developed around them, as most of these texts are excellent guides for routes to take if you want to understand Ebre regions better.
The Artur Bladé i Desumvila Literary Route
The landscape, history and the literature of Artur Bladé i Desumvila are the main features of a cultural route through the streets of Benissanet, a village overlooking the river in the Ribera d'Ebre region. This is a guided tour lasting an hour and a half, which visits nine places linked to the life and work of this writer born in Benissanet. The Font Gran (Big Fountain), Bonaire street, Plaça de la Verdura (Vegetable Square) and the writer's home and birthplace are just some of the places along the route.
From a young age, Artur Bladé i Desumvila (Benissanet 1907 - Barcelona 1995) collaborated on several left-wing, Catalan nationalist magazines. His childhood was blighted by the Spanish Civil War and several years of exile – first in France and then in Mexico, where his literary career began. Although his literature wasn't published until he was 37 years old, his work – linked to Benissanet, Ribera d'Ebre and Catalanism – was very prolific. He didn't return to Catalonia until 1961. In 1994, shortly before he died, the Catalan Government awarded him the Saint George Cross in recognition of his literary career.
For more information:
Associació Cultural Artur Bladé i Desumvila (The Artur Bladé i Desumvila Cultural Association)
c/ Bonaire, 2 baixos. Benissanet
Tel. (0034) 977 40 70 05
www.benissanet.altanet.org
www.riberaebre.org
Get to know us