Fernández del Riego, cónsul of the galician diáspora (1945-1960)

Abstract

This article examines the relationships existing between Fernández del Riego and the Galician social groupings abroad and republican associations exiled after 1936, which together formed the Galician diaspora in Latin America. Del Riego’s work was epistolary and journalistic, given that he contributed on a regular basis to publications such as the Galician Centre’s Galicia or Galicia Emigrante, edited by Luis Seoane. He provided information on cultural activities in Galicia and, in particular, those undertaken by Galaxia, of which he was a member.

As an able mediator, Del Riego represented in Galicia a sort of “consul” for the management of everything related to emigrants and exiles in cultural and even political matters. In addition, he provided representation in Galicia for the Buenos Aires Galician Centre and managed the patronage that that institution exercised in support of the Galician cultural world, from book publishing, the organization of literary competitions and journeys by intellectuals to Latin America (Patriotic Conferences), in which he himself participated.

As in the times of mass emigration to America, Del Riego was able to bring the two sides of the Atlantic together and keep the flame of Galician culture burning, despite the political disagreements that began to emerge at the end of the 1950s.