Introducción a la recepción de la literatura brasileña en España: de Juan Valera a la revista de cultura brasileña (1962-1971)

This article traces the reception of Brazilian literature in Spain from the end of the 19th century to the creation of Revista de cultura brasileña (1962-1970) directed by the poet Ángel Crespo. We describe the early endeavours to disseminate Brazilian literature, beginning with the publication in Madrid of the essay Poesía del Brasil (1855) by the writer and diplomat Juan Valera, up to the introduction in the 1940s of specialized periodicals and anthologies featuring Brazilian poetry. As we shall see, Brazilian literature was largely ignored in Spain until the appearance of Revista de cultura brasileña, which interrupted the cultural silence between Brazil and Spain and showcased an activity which captured the interest of Spanish scholars in the arts of Brazil, particularly its literature, which was the main focus of the publication.