Exhibition of Miguel Hernández. The poet who made toys

Lovers of literature and history have an appointment at the National Library with Miguel Hernández: the poet who made toys. The exhibition differs greatly from others already held on the figure of Miguel Hernández as it combines tenderness, art, love, nostalgia and, yes, echoes of the desire for freedom in a Spain in which defending one’s own ideas was often synonymous with ending up in prison.

Which is precisely what happened to the celebrated poet. Condemned to death, though his sentence was later commuted, he was transferred from one Spanish prison to another until he died of tuberculosis in Alicante prison on the 28th of March, 1942.

During his time in prison he never stopped creating, as much for himself as for society and for his son, Manolillo, whom he referred to in his letters to his beloved wife. Visitors to the exhibition will see a collection of objects that Miguel Hernández made with his own hands in an effort to convey to his son the affection and love he had for him despite the distance and lack of freedom that prevented them from seeing each other.

The exhibition includes a collection of stories written in pencil on toilet paper in the form of a notebook as well as wooden toys that the poet created, including a dog and a horse, and other objects that accompanied his letters to Josefina in the hope that one day the three of them could be reunited.

The exhibition can be seen at the Biblioteca Nacional until the 7th of January 2024 and admission is free until capacity is reached (20 people). Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9.30 am to 8 pm and Saturdays from 9.30 am to 2 pm.  Visits with Biblioteca Nacional guides are on Tuesdays at 4 pm and Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11 am, subject to prior reservation.

(Photo taken from the poster of the Biblioteca Nacional)

Categories: Madrid Cultura