The University of Alcala Presents The Poem that Would Never have Existed without its Celebrated Alumni

Jan. 26, 2024

As part of the 25th anniversary of its designation as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, the University of Alcala, with the help of the independent creative agency Ernest, is once again launching an unprecedented communication initiative. This time it is a literary tribute to the great masters who passed through the hallowed halls of UAH and is titled "The poem that would never have existed".

The Golden Age heralded an unprecedented expansion of the Spanish language. During this period, esteemed authors such as Francisco de Quevedo, Lope de Vega, Calderón de la Barca, and Tirso de Molina, through their literary contributions, enriched the Spanish lexicon, not only crafting masterpieces that resonated globally but also introducing words that hitherto hadn’t existed.

Francisco Martínez Morán, poet laureate and former student, has written a poem using only words incorporated into Castilian Spanish by celebrated literary icons of the Golden Age and who are also UAH alumni, shedding a light on the important role that the institution has played in the evolution and enrichment of the Spanish language.

The University of Alcalá takes immense pride in being the alma mater of brilliant minds that have significantly shaped the narrative of Spanish literature. This poem is a tribute to keeping the flame of their inspiration alive.

Nacho Guillo, General Creative Director at Ernest, said:

"It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with such a consistent and coherent client. An institution that stands firm in its commitment to new and unconventional ideas in its category and holds steady in its strategic approach to connecting the richness of its values and heritage with the present day".