Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: Hoy por Hoy (SER Podcast)
Episode: El viaje de ida | Ignacio Sánchez Mejías, el pegamento de la Generación del 27
Air Date: October 8, 2025

In this captivating episode, Àngels Barceló and Pepe Rubio explore the extraordinary life of Ignacio Sánchez Mejías—a legendary bullfighter, writer, cultural promoter, and central unifying figure of Spain’s Generation of '27. The conversation, supported by contributions from historians, family members, and literary experts, reveals how Sánchez Mejías left an indelible mark on the arts, sports, and society of early 20th-century Spain.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Death of Ignacio Sánchez Mejías and His Legacy

• Opening Scene (00:47–02:38):

  • The episode opens at the Plaza de Toros de Manzanares, where Sánchez Mejías suffered his fatal goring at 43, a moment immortalized in poetry by Federico García Lorca.

  • The symbolism of "a las cinco de la tarde" is reinforced with 30 stopped clocks at the Ignacio Sánchez Mejías Museum, referencing Lorca's 30 poetic mentions of that specific hour.

    "Son las 30 veces que Federico García Lorca menciona a las 5 de la tarde en la primera parte del poema de la elegía." — Reporter Mireia Moroyón (02:27)

• Impact on Artists and Society (02:45–03:22):

  • Lorca, Alberti, Miguel Hernández, and Gerardo Diego, among others, mourned Sánchez Mejías through poetry, highlighting his central social role.

    "Una cosa quizás destaca también de Ignacio Sánchez Mejías es que era muy buen amigo. Para ellos fue un pequeño drama la muerte de Ignacio." — Reporter Mireia Moroyón (03:05)

2. Early Life and Adventurous Spirit

• Childhood Anecdotes (03:28–04:51):

  • Born in 1891 in Seville into a large, affluent family (19 children), Sánchez Mejías was restless as a child, seeking adventure and independence.

    "Era un niño muy inquieto, vamos... Se escapaba del colegio y los guardias lo llevaban de vuelta a su casa en Sevilla..." — Paloma Recasens (04:01)

  • Ignored his father’s wishes to become a doctor, fleeing at 17 as a stowaway to America, eventually landing in New York through a mix-up and a family rescue.

3. Bullfighting Career and Multifaceted Talents

• Bullfighting Evolution (05:38–06:41):

  • Sánchez Mejías started as a banderillero in Mexico before returning to Spain and rising to fame as Joselito’s disciple, known for his bravery and charismatic arrogance.

    "En el ruedo quería ser el número uno, le iba la marcha, digámoslo así, se peleaba con el toro, se peleaba con los compañeros, se peleaba con el público..." — Andrés Amorós (06:02)

• Chronicler and Self-Critique (06:54–07:22):

  • Unique in writing his own press chronicles, often more critically than external journalists.

    "Es el único torero en la historia que yo conozca, que él torea por la tarde y luego escribe la crónica de su corrida." — Andrés Amorós (06:54)

• Literary Pursuits (07:22–08:19):

  • Wrote novels, poetry, and especially theater—his play Sin Razón was the first in Spain to show Freud’s influence.

    "No, no, resulta que es la primera obra de teatro española en la que se advierte la influencia de Freud." — Andrés Amorós (08:19)

4. Broader Life: Sports, Aviation, Philanthropy, and Betis Presidency

• Wide-ranging Interests (09:13–10:57):

  • Besides bullfighting and writing, Sánchez Mejías was involved in polo, boxing, football, aviation (often piloting himself to fights), and philanthropy (president of the local Red Cross).

  • He famously became president of the Real Betis football club—paying player salaries with his own money.

    "En el Betis se dejó muchísimo dinero porque le pagaba los sueldos a los futbolistas, vaya." — Family member (10:48)

5. Family Life and Personal Relationships

• Family Anecdotes (10:59–12:16):
  • Despite his busy life, prioritized extravagant fun and educational experiences for his children (e.g., delivering a horse to his daughter’s room as a King's Day gift).
  • Had a non-traumatic separation from his wife and a significant relationship with the artist Argentinita.

6. Cultural Connector: The Generation of '27

• Organizing the Homenaje a Góngora (12:20–13:57):

  • Instrumental in hosting the 1927 Góngora tribute at the Sevilla Ateneo—putting up the money, offering hospitality, and creating the now-iconic photographic record of the group.

    "Fue el mecenas, el que puso la pasta, las ganas, la fiesta y el pegamento. Y ojo, el que está en el centro de la foto..." — Host (13:19)

• Social Catalyst (14:09–15:07):

  • Recognized for bringing together poet friends in wild, creative gatherings full of flamenco, parody, and artistic experimentation.

    "En esa juerga pasa de todo. Damaso Alonso, por ejemplo, en medio de la juerga se pone a recitar las Soledades de Góngora." — Andrés Amorós (14:09)

7. Unique Friendships and Memorable Anecdotes

• Alberti & Lorca (15:43–17:12):

  • Close with Lorca and Alberti, to the point of locking Alberti in a room until he wrote a poem and comically employing him as a banderillero.

    "Lo lleva a Sevilla y lo encierra en la habitación del hotel. Hasta que no hagas el poema no sales de aquí." — Andrés Amorós (15:56)

    "Ignacio era también muy bromista, un genio." — Andrés Amorós (17:00)

8. The End and Universal Symbolism

• Final Moments and Poetic Immortality (17:15–18:41):

  • His death was marked by extraordinary composure. Lorca’s poem focuses on Sánchez Mejías’s humanity, making the elegy universal.

    "No habla nada de si toreaba bien con el capote... Habla de Ignacio como ser humano y eso lo universaliza mucho más claro... todos alguna vez tendremos que afrontar la hora de la verdad. Ay, qué terribles cinco de la tarde..." — Andrés Amorós (17:28)

• Global Cultural Figure (18:41–18:58):

  • Had he been American, the panel suggests his story would be immortalized in numerous films.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Being a Connector:
  "El pegamento, el sinteticón, el que los pega... Ignacio los unía a todos. Era el amigo que no competía con ellos, que era generoso, que era inteligente, que además ganaba mucho dinero, que ellos no lo tenían."
  — Andrés Amorós (15:07)

• On Artistic Multiplicity:
  "Un torero que fue número uno... se retiró, volvió, se volvió a retirar, luego vuelve... mientras iba haciendo cosas..."
  — Host (09:13)

• On Facing Death:
  "Esa lucidez, esa serenidad para afrontar la muerte, eso es lo que refleja Federico en su poema... Ay, qué terribles cinco de la tarde."
  — Andrés Amorós (17:28)

• On Family Eccentricity:
  "A mi madre los Reyes Magos le subieron el caballo a su habitación... No solo hacía lo normal, sino que hacía lo extraordinario siempre."
  — Paloma Recasens (11:12)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Lorca’s poem intro: 00:47–01:41
• His death and symbolism at Manzanares: 01:41–02:38
• Cultural mourning & importance: 02:45–03:22
• Early life & adventures: 04:01–05:38
• Bullfighting and literary activities: 06:02–08:19
• Playwright and innovator: 08:19–09:13
• Aviation, sports, and Betis presidency: 09:13–10:57
• Family life and anecdotes: 10:59–12:16
• Generation of '27 and Góngora event: 12:20–13:57
• Bringing poets together: 14:09–15:07
• Anecdotes with Alberti & Lorca: 15:43–17:12
• Death and poetic transcendence: 17:15–18:41
• Conclusory reflections: 18:41–18:58

Closing Thoughts

This episode masterfully uses storytelling, interviews, and humor to paint a vivid portrait of Ignacio Sánchez Mejías as an audacious bullfighter and restless creator, but above all as the indispensable catalyst of Spain’s most brilliant cultural generation. His charisma, generosity, relentless curiosity, and friendships left a legacy far greater than his art in the ring, embodying the explosive cultural dynamism of early 20th-century Spain.