Miguel Poveda Discusses Lorca Documentary and Rare Manuscript on La Revuelta

Catalan singer Miguel Poveda used his appearance on the Spanish television program La Revuelta to honor the legacy of Federico García Lorca, calling for the poet’s memory to be kept alive on the 90th anniversary of his assassination during the Spanish Civil War.

Appearing alongside Diego Maradona Jr. On the Monday night broadcast, Poveda discussed his documentary Enlorquecido: Solo el misterio nos hace vivir, which he described as a tribute to Lorca’s enduring cultural impact. He characterized the poet not only as a literary figure but as a committed activist who championed theatre, flamenco music, women, the disadvantaged, and the Romani community.

Él fue muy comprometido con todo: la mujer, con el desfavorecido, con los gitanos…

Miguel Poveda

Poveda expressed sorrow over Lorca’s death, noting that the poet was killed at a moment when he could have contributed even more to Spanish culture. “Un hombre muy comprometido y fue brutalmente, como todos sabemos, asesinado. Se cargaron una generación brutal y Federico en un momento en el que podía haber dado muchísimo,” he said.

Marking the nine decades since Lorca’s execution, Poveda appealed directly to the show’s host, David Broncano, saying: “Por eso, ahora que se cumplen 90 años de que lo asesinaron, me gustaría que volviera a estar vivo aquí en tu programa.”

The singer revealed that his connection to Lorca deepened through a personal archival discovery. He acquired a 1933 manuscript of the poem La raíz amarga, which he keeps at home in an envelope, planning to frame it. While examining the document, he found a handwritten pencil note on the reverse side that read: “Yo no estoy aquí, es la señal de carne que yo dejé al irme para saber mi sitio al regresar.”

Me di cuenta de que detrás, en el dorso, había un poema escrito a lápiz que decía: ‘Yo no estoy aquí, es la señal de carne que yo dejé al irme para saber mi sitio al regresar’

Miguel Poveda

Poveda explained that this discovery reinforced his sense of Lorca’s enduring presence, describing it as a personal signal from the poet about identity and return. He framed the manuscript not just as a historical artifact but as a living testament to Lorca’s voice.

The conversation turned to the ongoing search for Lorca’s remains, which historians believe lie in an unmarked grave between Víznar and Alfacar, near an olive tree. While recent exhumations have uncovered remains of other victims of Francoist repression, Lorca’s body has not yet been found.

Se dice por los historiadores que fue entre Víznar y Alfacar, al lado de un olivo, pero ahí no han encontrado de momento nada.

Miguel Poveda

Poveda stressed that the continued absence of Lorca’s remains makes cultural preservation even more vital. “Hay que hacerlo presente,” he asserted, arguing that keeping the poet’s spirit alive through art, memory, and projects like his documentary is a form of justice and remembrance.

La Revuelta, broadcast on La 1 (RTVE), continues to feature cultural figures discussing historical memory and artistic legacy. Poveda’s appearance underscored the enduring relevance of Lorca’s work and the importance of confronting Spain’s historical memory through creative expression.