''A la juventud filipina'' (English Translation: ''To The Philippine Youth)'' is a

poem Poetry (derived from the Greek '' poiesis'', "making"), also called verse, is a form of literature that uses aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language − such as phonaesthetics, sound symbolism, and metre − to evoke meaning ...

written in

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...

Filipino Filipino may refer to: * Something from or related to the Philippines ** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines. ** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...

writer and patriot

José Rizal José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is considered the national h ...

, first presented in 1879 in

Manila Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populated ...

, while he was studying at the

University of Santo Tomas The University of Santo Tomas (also known as UST and officially as the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, Manila) is a private, Catholic research university in Manila, Philippines. Founded on April 28, 1611, by Spanish friar Migue ...

. "''A la juventud filipina''" was written by Rizal when he was only eighteen years old, and was dedicated to the Filipino youth which he describes as "the fair hope of my motherland."

Summary

The Poem address the Filipino youth as the one who can bring about change and progress to the nation. It encourages them that they have the potential to achieve great things, "Come now, thou outhgenius grand, And bring down inspiration." In this poem, it is the Filipino youth who are the protagonists, whose "prodigious genius" making use of that education to build the future, was the "''bella esperanza de la patria mía''" (beautiful hope of the motherland). Spain, with "pious and wise hand" offered a "crown's resplendent band, offers to the sons of this Indian land."

Influences

Some literary terms characteristic of the works of

José de Espronceda José Ignacio Javier Oriol Encarnación de Espronceda y Delgado (25 March 1808 – 23 May 1842) was a Romantic Spanish poet, one of the most representative authors of the 19th century. He was influenced by Eugenio de Ochoa, Federico Madrazo, ...

can be observed throughout the poem, such as “tersa frente” or "amante anhelo" that appeared originally in the "Canto II a Teresa" of Espronceda.

Awards

The poem was presented in 1879 in

at a literary contest held in the ''Liceo Artistico Literario de Manila'' (Manila Lyceum of Art and Literature), a society of literary men and artists, where he won the first prize, composed of a feather-shaped silver pen and a diploma.

Translations

The poem has been translated to Tagalog by several authors. Early in the 20th century, the American translator Charles Derbyshire (whose English translation of Rizal's "Mi Ultimo Adios" is the most popular and most often recited version) translated the poem, but the translation contained flaws, as can be seen for example in the fifth line, where he translates "bella esperanza de la patria mia!" as “fair hope of my fatherland!” Alfredo S. Veloso made a translation of the poem into English.

Philippine National Artist The Order of National Artists of the Philippines ( Filipino: ''Orden ng mga Pambansang Alagad ng Sining ng Pilipinas'') is an order bestowed by the Philippines on Filipinos who have made significant contributions to the development of Philipp ...

Nick Joaquin Nicomedes "Nick" Marquez Joaquin (; May 4, 1917 – April 29, 2004) was a Filipino writer and journalist best known for his short stories and novels in the English language. He also wrote using the pen name Quijano de Manila. Joaquin was conferr ...

also translated the poem.

References

External links