20 July 2017

Théodore Aubanal, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône (13)

Théodore Aubanel (1829–1886) also (along with Frédéric Mistral) has a plaque dedicated to him near the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, and it's also written in Provençal: as the plaque here states, Aubanel (whose grave I (almost unbelievably) wasn't allowed to photograph in Saint-Véran cemetery in Avignon) was a founder member of Le Félibrige. In 1850 Aubanel met Jenny Manivet (or Zani), the love of his life, although the two were unable to reveal their love for each other: Zani joined a convent. His first poems were published in 1851 in Li Prouvencalo, and in 1860 Aubanel published La mióugrano entre duberto (literally 'The Half-Opened Pomegranate'), concerning his lost love of Zani. It was well received in literary circles, although local Catholic organisations condemned it. Aubanel married another woman (Joséphine Mazen) the following year.

No comments: