JUAN MELÉNDEZ VALDÉS (1754-1817)
Juan Meléndez Valdés (Ribera del Fresno, 1754-Montpellier, 1817) is considered to be the most important Spanish poet, jurist and politician of the 18th century and one of the most influential thinkers of the moment who perfectly reflected the progressive spirit of an enlightened and committed to his time. As a politician he tried to put into practice his reformist ideas to modernize Spain.
He was professor of humanities in Salamanca (1781), Doctor of Laws (1783), Mayor of crime in Zaragoza (1789), Oidor of the Royal Chancery in Valladolid (1791) and Prosecutor of the Mayors of the House and Court in Madrid (1797). ).
Meléndez held positions in the government, and suffered exile in Medina del Campo (1798), confinement in Zamora (1800) and prison in Asturias (1808). Under the regime of José Bonaparte, he was Prosecutor of the Councils (1809) and Prosecutor of the Board of Public Instruction (1810). After the French Revolution he went into exile in France.
His early philosophical and poetic readings marked his first stage as a poet, in which his anacreontic and bucolic compositions stand out, whose genre was the main cultivator in Spain (La paloma de Filis; Besos de amor), and his Poetry, published at the request from Jovellanos.
The works of his second poetic stage are characterized by their philosophical content and by their pre-romantic sentimentality; Subsequently, his work was oriented towards political and social commitment (Forensic Discourses, A. Llaguno, on fanaticism).
Examples of tribute from the people of Ribera to its famous poet are the sculpture located in the Plaza de España as a bronze bust made in 1985 by the Extremaduran sculptor Luis Martínez Giraldo as well as the marble commemorative plaque placed in tribute to his figure in 1880 on the facade of his native house located on the street that bears his name and where he says:
He was professor of humanities in Salamanca (1781), Doctor of Laws (1783), Mayor of crime in Zaragoza (1789), Oidor of the Royal Chancery in Valladolid (1791) and Prosecutor of the Mayors of the House and Court in Madrid (1797). ).
Meléndez held positions in the government, and suffered exile in Medina del Campo (1798), confinement in Zamora (1800) and prison in Asturias (1808). Under the regime of José Bonaparte, he was Prosecutor of the Councils (1809) and Prosecutor of the Board of Public Instruction (1810). After the French Revolution he went into exile in France.
His early philosophical and poetic readings marked his first stage as a poet, in which his anacreontic and bucolic compositions stand out, whose genre was the main cultivator in Spain (La paloma de Filis; Besos de amor), and his Poetry, published at the request from Jovellanos.
The works of his second poetic stage are characterized by their philosophical content and by their pre-romantic sentimentality; Subsequently, his work was oriented towards political and social commitment (Forensic Discourses, A. Llaguno, on fanaticism).
Examples of tribute from the people of Ribera to its famous poet are the sculpture located in the Plaza de España as a bronze bust made in 1985 by the Extremaduran sculptor Luis Martínez Giraldo as well as the marble commemorative plaque placed in tribute to his figure in 1880 on the facade of his native house located on the street that bears his name and where he says:
"From the patriotic forum, the luminary, pride of the muses and ornament, it is just that the wings of his love Rivera consecrate this noble monument"
BICENTENARY OF THE DEATH OF JUAN MELÉNDEZ VALDÉS
When 200 years have passed since the death of our illustrious poet “Juan Meléndez Valdés”; In the town of Ribera del Fresno, the place where he was born, a series of commemorative events have been organized by the different institutions in the town, including:
- The Institute "IESO Valdemedel" of the town, has prepared a series of activities aimed at celebrating this anniversary, which have been prepared by the Department of Legua Castellana and Literature in which students of 1st Baccalaureate have participated.
- The "Extremadura Studies Magazine" has also contributed to this event by dedicating an extraordinary number to remember the bicentennial of the poet's death, dedicating a section to the memory, feelings or image that current poets have of Batilo where more than a dozen will appear of distinguished poets with two separate poems.
- The "IES Meléndez Valdés" in Villafranca de los Barros has commemorated the Bicentennial of the death of the illustrious poet who gives its center its name, with a series of mocropíldoras where they will take account of the most significant events in their lives. The first deals with the birth of the poet in Ribera del Fresno.
- From the "Ribera del Fresno Town Hall", the aim has been to pay tribute to the local poet with the collaboration of the local artist "Carmen Goga", who has designed a logo to accompany the event at each event that takes place.
- The XVIII Book Fair of the town will carry out various activities to celebrate the Bicentennial of the poet's death: Opening of exhibitions "Juan Meléndez Valdés and his time", "Act of I National Poetry Prize", "Bookbinding and writing workshops "," Sale of books with discounts and exhibitions of the Public Library and Rincón Meléndez Valdés "," Poetic recital with readings by Juan Meléndez Valdés "," Projection of video tribute Juan Meléndez Valdés, "Gymkana literaria" Batilo, Nuestro poeta ", ...
https://www.juanmelendezvaldes.es/ribera-del-fresno/
When 200 years have passed since the death of our illustrious poet “Juan Meléndez Valdés”; In the town of Ribera del Fresno, the place where he was born, a series of commemorative events have been organized by the different institutions in the town, including:
- The Institute "IESO Valdemedel" of the town, has prepared a series of activities aimed at celebrating this anniversary, which have been prepared by the Department of Legua Castellana and Literature in which students of 1st Baccalaureate have participated.
- The "Extremadura Studies Magazine" has also contributed to this event by dedicating an extraordinary number to remember the bicentennial of the poet's death, dedicating a section to the memory, feelings or image that current poets have of Batilo where more than a dozen will appear of distinguished poets with two separate poems.
- The "IES Meléndez Valdés" in Villafranca de los Barros has commemorated the Bicentennial of the death of the illustrious poet who gives its center its name, with a series of mocropíldoras where they will take account of the most significant events in their lives. The first deals with the birth of the poet in Ribera del Fresno.
- From the "Ribera del Fresno Town Hall", the aim has been to pay tribute to the local poet with the collaboration of the local artist "Carmen Goga", who has designed a logo to accompany the event at each event that takes place.
- The XVIII Book Fair of the town will carry out various activities to celebrate the Bicentennial of the poet's death: Opening of exhibitions "Juan Meléndez Valdés and his time", "Act of I National Poetry Prize", "Bookbinding and writing workshops "," Sale of books with discounts and exhibitions of the Public Library and Rincón Meléndez Valdés "," Poetic recital with readings by Juan Meléndez Valdés "," Projection of video tribute Juan Meléndez Valdés, "Gymkana literaria" Batilo, Nuestro poeta ", ...
https://www.juanmelendezvaldes.es/ribera-del-fresno/
