Republishing of ‘Estoy hablando de mi generación’ [Talking about my generation], by Claudi Montañá
The figure of Claudi Montañá transcended Spain's vibrant cultural and music scene in the 1970s thanks to his fundamental contribution as a critic and writer. This aspect of his work is reflected in the republished anthology of his articles 'Estoy hablando de mi generación’ [Talking about my generation].
Edited by Josep Maria Ripoll and published by Barcelona City Council in 2020, the anthology Estoy hablando de mi generación [Talking about my generation] features an exhaustive selection of his writing from 1972 to 1977, the period during which Montañá captured and offered a perceptive insight into the cultural and ideological upheavals of that time.
The historical context in which his work is set it key to understanding its relevance. The 1960s and early 1970s were a time of profound change in Spain, from the end of the dictatorial regime to the arrival of democracy. During this period of transition, movements emerged such as the hippy and counter-culture movement, and music became a powerful vehicle of expression for young people. In this context, Montañá became an attentive critic and shrewd writer, and explored a diverse range of themes such as rock, cinema, counterculture and the underground movement through his articles in various major publications of that time.
His writing is characterised by a peculiar style: a fusion of journalism and literary creation. He was a subjective writer with a deep understanding of the cultural references of the period, revealing a constant fascination with the darker side of life and the rebellion against conventionalism. Despite his relevance in his day, the work of Montañá was somehow overlooked in subsequent cultural history. However, his influence over our understanding of the culture and music of the 1970s has endured and is unquestionable.
Secret Library
The publication of this book is part of the Secret Library Collection, the aim of which is to explore the essence of an era through the key figures of that time. This collection aims to recover and preserve our hidden cultural legacy and offer a fuller picture of the history of Barcelona in the 1970s. In a nutshell, the importance of Claudi Montañá as a chronicler of his generation and his role in configuring the cultural and musical landscape of Spain in the 1970s fully justifies the republishing of his work by Barcelona City Council.
