Ángel González, one of Spain’s most prominent poets and member of a literary generation known for its opposition to the dictatorship of Gen. Francisco Franco, died at the age of 82. González was an emeritus faculty member in the University of New Mexico Department of Spanish and Portuguese.
Photo: Ángel González
González died Saturday morning after being hospitalized with pneumonia. He was cremated Sunday after a ceremony at Madrid’s Almudena Cemetery.
González is survived by his widow, Susana Rivera.
Many writers, artists, teachers and others who were friends of González, a lover of late-night chats in the bars and cafes of Madrid, attended.
González was a member of the Spanish Royal Academy, the prestigious, official watchdog of the Spanish language, and won awards that included the Asturias Prize for Letters in 1985.
His poems addressed issues like freedom and solidarity, and like many intellectuals under the Franco regime, González eventually left Spain.
In 1972 he accepted a teaching position at the University of New Mexico and remained on faculty until 1993, although he frequently traveled back to Spain.
Dr. Pelayo Fernandez, one of González’s colleagues in the UNM Department of Spanish and Portuguese, recalled how they frequently got together at Fernandez’s house, located near campus.
“Ángel was an amiable man. We would get together to eat, talk, maybe drink a little. The discussions were always positive, never argumentative. Sometimes he would play the guitar, singing, improvising,” he said.
“After his retirement he traveled a lot around the world. Wherever he went, he was welcome. He was often invited to present his poetry, but he always came back to New Mexico because of its peaceful atmosphere. He connected with New Mexico Hispanic traditions,” he said.
One of his poems, “Twilight Albuquerque, Summer,” expresses González’s appreciation for the natural environment, as well.
Sunlight sustained in the west, high
polyphony of light!
From the other side of the horizon,
the choral mountain
—wood and wind—
responds with a dense and purple chord
to the long cadence of evening.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu