Events dedicated to dramatist Lorca

Spanish poet and dramatist Federico Garcia Lorca, who was executed in 1936, might not be well-known to Americans, but nonetheless ranked among the literary heavyweights of Europe in the 1900s.

"He was one of the most eminent poets and play theater writers of the 20th century," said Juan Carlos Vidal, executive director of the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago. "He is a legend because he was killed in the Spanish Civil War, and his work died with him when he was very young."

Lorca was openly homosexual and was shot at age 38 by Spanish nationalists at the dawn of the civil war. The circumstances of his death are unclear, but his work -- laden with themes of passion and death -- was banned under Spanish dictator Francisco Franco's regime until the 1950s.

In conjunction with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's presentation of "Ainadamar," Instituto Cervantes has organized a series of events and lectures titled "Explore the Life and Legacy of Lorca."

The Instituto is a not-for-profit organization that promotes Spanish language and Spanish-speaking cultures throughout the world. It has more than 60 centers in five continents.

The collaboration between the CSO and the Instituto came about fortuitously, Vidal said. The day before the CSO debuts "Ainadamar" on Thursday, the Instituto scheduled the opening of an art exhibit of works dedicated to Garcia Lorca by Spanish painter Francisco Bores. The reception Wednesday will be attended by the writer's niece, Laura Garcia Lorca, who lives in Spain. The exhibit runs through March 30.

The Instituto will also present two evenings of puppet theater based on "Buster Keaton's Stroll," a surrealist text by Garcia Lorca, plus screenings of Keaton's comedy film "Sherlock Jr." at 8 p.m. Wednesday and Monday. Both evenings will be hosted by "Ainadamar" composer Osvaldo Golijov.

At 6:30 p.m. March 17, Dr. Christopher Maurer, of Boston University, and Dr. Manuel Angel Vazquez Medel, of the University of Andalucia in Spain, will give a talk titled "Lorca and His Search for Art as a Whole." One of the presenters will speak in Spanish with simultaneous English translation.

Garcia Lorca was an innovator who strove to create a new kind of aesthetic, almost a "new language for the arts," by combining traditional elements with the surrealist and avant-garde movements of his time, Vidal said.

"He was one of the most interesting creators of the 20th century," he said.

The art exhibit and the scholarly discussion are free. The puppet theater is $15 in advance, and $20 the day of the show.

Instituto Cervantes is located at 31 W. Ohio St., Chicago. For information, call (312) 335-1996.