Adelaida Las Santas

Adelaida Las Santas Loureiro (Villarejo de Salvanés, 22 July 1918 – Madrid, 15 November 2006) was a Spanish journalist, poet, and co-founder of the literary gathering Versos con faldas.

Biography

Early age

She was born in Villarejo de Salvanés (Madrid), but moved to the capital of Spain at a very young age.

Life during Spanish Civil War

In August 1936 she remained living in Madrid, and she helped her friend, the Falangist Luis Carmona, who had escaped from the Modelo prison.

On 4 September, anarchist militiamen from the FAI showed up at her home to arrest her for helping him, but Las Santas refused to cooperate. Despite her denial, Carmona was arrested and disappeared.

After the war

In 1950 she earned a degree in Journalism and began writing for various newspapers in Madrid. At the same time, she wrote poetry which she presented at several literary gatherings that were common at the time. In April 1950 she participated in the tribute to Emilio Carrere. In 1951 she created the literary circle ‘‘Versos con faldas’’ together with Gloria Fuertes and María Dolores de Pablos, acting as secretary. She took part in numerous recitals, either alone or accompanied by some of her colleagues from the group.

Marriage

In 1955 she married the writer Guillermo Osorio (1918–1982), Las Santas was responsible for publishing her husband’s work, not only during his lifetime but also after his death, releasing two posthumous poetry collections.

Adelaida Las Santas died in Madrid on 15 November 2006.

Versos con faldas

In the poetry circle she founded with Gloria Fuertes and María Dolores de Pablos, Las Santas served as secretary, but in practice she acted as director, since Gloria Fuertes—the nominal director—fully trusted her:

"I value your drive, your energy and will. I’ll help by giving you the completed programs so you can notify the people.” She was the one who financed the programs and effectively managed the gathering. The group came to an end in 1953 when the General Directorate of Security banned poetry readings and café gatherings".

In 1983 she published the first anthology of "Versos con faldas." Years later, in 2019, based on Las Santas’ previous work, the publishing house Torremozas released another anthology that included introductory studies, biographies of the members, period photographs, and more.

Works

Poetry Destellos. Madrid, self-published, 1950. Poemas de Adelaida. Madrid, Rumbos, 1954. Versos con faldas: (A brief history of a literary gathering founded by women in 1951). Madrid, Aguacantos, 1983. Y hace cincuenta años hubo una guerra: romance para que lo cante un ciego. Aguacantos, 1984. Poemas de la sinceridad. Madrid, self-published, 1997.

Children's literature Poema de la perra gorda que se convirtió en perra chica y otros poemas para las niñas y niños de Cuenca. Aguacantos, 1997.

Prose Poetas de café. Madrid, Cultura Clásica y Moderna, 1959.