The Spanish Word for Social Meetings with Literary or Artistic Flavors
I have been writing on various topics from different corners of the world for a while.
This morning, as I sat at the table and began to write again, I realized that there are so many specific words about socializing in many cultures. Although it seems very natural for the Mediterranean, northern countries are interested as well, Fika shows it. Socializing is so vital for everyone that special words are formed to represent it.
Our word today is a Spanish word that is exactly about socializing.
Tertulia.
A Tertulia is a gathering of a group of people to talk and exchange views on art, literature, or a different special field.
Tertulia has also settled in languages such as Portuguese and Catalan, but its origins are in Spanish, going back to Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus, an ancient Christian writer.
In the 16th century, Philip II of Spain, who was also known as Philip the Prudent, was a king who was very interested in ancient cultures and the arts. He recruited polymaths who were interested in poetry and literature, as well as the visual arts, such as painting. He was also very fond of the work of the old Christian author Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus, who gave the Spanish word "tertulia". As royals and academics gathered to discuss such works with their king, the term tertulia evolved as a term for educational discussions.
Tertulia meetings have become more common, especially in Latin America. So much so that, at the beginning of May 1810, the tertulias led the May Revolution in Latin American countries, which allowed the people to establish their own independent administration by ending the sovereignty of the kings of Europe.
Contertulios, who were participants, shared their recent works in poetry, short stories, songs, or artwork in public or private places chosen for tertulias.
I can imagine the splendor of these ancient gatherings. How I wish I could be in one of them! With Shakespeare, Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, Nazım Hikmet, Kahlil Gibran, Ghandi, and all those immortal souls who made priceless contributions to our cultural world.
A room full of intelligent people with profound knowledge and wisdom, with whom we can have art and literature-related conversations.
What more could one ask for? A room full of books, of course!
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