Alfredo Valenzuela I Seville, (EFE) who testified in the first half of the 20th century.
For this reason, Cánovas Sánchez explained to EFE, the new biography, published by Alianza Editorial, is entitled “Chaves Nogales. Barbarism and Civilization in the 20th Century”. Because both “barbarism” and “civilization” were the terms used by the Sevillian journalist to, as synonyms for totalitarianism and democracy, respectively, describe the tragedy of his time.
The peculiarity of this biography, the author has pointed out, is that it focuses “on the greatest contribution of Chaves Nogales.” “His chronicles and reports about him. His testimony about the Russian Revolution, Hitler’s Germany, World War II. The Spanish Republic, the Civil War and exile” to verify that democracy, in that period, was “shattered” by fascism and communism.
Cánovas Sánchez has inserted each of the works by Chaves Nogales “in the historical, political and social coordinates of his time”. In such a way that the biographical study of him ends up being both of the man and of his work.
“The agony of France”, according to Chaves Nogales
For this reason, he has given as an example a title such as “The Agony of France”. That analyzes the causes of the collapse of France against Germany. And that it was an event that forced the author “to pack his suitcase and go to England. Convinced that the Gestapo was looking for him “in Paris, where he arrived fleeing the Spanish Civil War.
In addition to approaching Chaves Nogales as a “notary of his time, who bears witness to the great events of the 20th century”, the biographer has submitted his texts to those of current historiography. And, for example, what the journalist tells of the Russian Revolution has been compared with what current historians say of the same event. To come to a conclusion.
“Chaves comes out on top, which shows the freshness and validity of his testimony.” Since in recent decades much progress has been made in the historical investigation of the period that the Sevillian narrated. Something that also happens when Cánovas Sánchez has faced what current historians say about the Spanish Civil War. And what Chaves Nogales wrote, “and they are texts that do not contradict each other.”
This circumstance, for the biographer, means that the testimonies of Chaves Nogales about the great events he experienced “transcend their time and constitute a reference to build a more livable society today.”
Barbarism and Civilization in the 20th century”
“Today, in the 21st century, the ideas and values that Chaves Nogales defended in newspapers, books, and in the stands retain their freshness and validity. Dialogue, tolerance, democracy, social justice, the denunciation of totalitarianism and the rejection of fanaticism and war continue to be essential priorities to build a better life”. According to Canovas Sanchez.
The biographer, who considers his biographee as “a contemporary of ours” and as “one of the best journalists of the 20th century”, has pointed out that he is a writer who continues to arouse the interest of readers. Because “works like ‘La agonía de Francia’, ‘A sangre y fuego’ and ‘El maestro Juan Martínez que estaba ali’ have excellent writing, a fluid narrative rhythm and great thematic richness that combine the news of the journalistic chronicle and literary beauty.
“Chaves Nogales. Barbarism and Civilization in the 20th century” will be presented by its author on June 15 at the Ateneo de Sevilla. Where he will be accompanied by the journalist Mercedes de Pablos. And by Professor María Isabel Cintas, author of the biography in two volumes “Manuel Chaves Nogales. Walk and count ”and responsible for the first edition of his complete works. Subsequently published, revised and expanded in five volumes by the publishing house Libros del Asteroid. EFE