26 July 2017

Letters to Antonio Machado


Antonio Machado (26 July 1875 – 22 February 1939) was a well-known Spanish poet in the 20th century and a leading cultural figure. When the Spanish Civil War broke out in July 1936, Machado had to move from Madrid with his elderly mother, and eventually across the French border to Collioure. It was here that Antonio Machado died, just three days before his mother. In his pocket was found his last poem.

Machado is buried in the little village of Collioure and his grave is visited every year for lots of people. I was there last summer, even if visiting cemeteries isn't a habit of mine. It seems that there are always fresh flowers, and poems, and... letters. The box on the tomb caught my attention. Because... Who pick up the letters addressed to Machado?



Update 4 Feb. 2019: About the man who put the mailbox [in Catalan]

5 comments:

  1. Je ne connais pas ce poète et il est vrai qu'après leur mort les tombes des personnes célèbres sont soit honorées par la visite d'admirateurs ou totalement oubliées alors que leurs œuvres continuent à exister ou malheureusement être devenues de" purs investissements financiers " ! Où est l'art ?où est la morale ?

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    1. Anonymous27 July, 2017

      Vit encore. La moralité meurt une mort lente par jour.

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    2. Je crois que aussi Machado, il est vif pour beaucoup de monde.

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  2. Anonymous27 July, 2017

    Such a touching tribute. I wouldn't wonder or worry too much about who collects his mail. My scary head scratcher would be if I wrote and he answered. :D

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    Replies
    1. I understand that people write the letters. But still I feel curious...

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