Photograph of Germán List Arzubide by Tina Modotti

Although he describes himself as just a "timenaut", it is quite clear that Germán List Arzubide is, perhaps, the most vigorous and complex personage of 20th century Mexican culture. Germán (pronounced Her'mán) can be understood only through the enormous diversity of his works. While most writers are content to be classified as novelists, poets or playwrights, Germán has been all of these and more -simultaneously. How did he ever manage to do it all in a short one hundred years?

Germán the Historian

The historian reads Germán's works and finds an erudite contribution to the history of the Conquest of Mexico, of Mexican Independence, the Mexican "Reforma" and the period of the Revolution and then is surprised to learn that Germán actually discovered Emiliano Zapata. How? Well, after the fighting was over and notwithstanding having fought against him (not metaphorically but as an armed combatant in Carranza's army), Germán discovers the real Zapata having taken upon himself to interview veterans of Zapata's army in the state of Morelos. He explored both the enemy's territory and his ideals and emerged with the first book written about Zapata, " Zapata, exaltación", thus converting someone considered up to then to be a mere bandit into the national hero that historical fact and retrospect have proven him to be.

Germán the Playwright

A dramatist will read the theatrical writings of Germán and discover that he founded the Modern Puppet Theater of Mexico writing the first complete play for puppets - a play that, incidentally, has been presented everywhere puppet shows are produced. "Comino Conquers the Devil" was written over 67 years ago and is the one Mexican puppet play that is known throughout the world. Also, Germán was the first to write historical plays for the country's public educational radio which he co-founded with Agustin Yañez.

Germán the Short Story Writer

The short story writer will discover a serious intellectual who writes fiction for both adults and children. In the decade of the forties a whole generation grew up with "Troka el poderoso". A story on demand in all public libraries along with many of his other educational and stimulating stories. Germán also initiates a new literary category which could be termed "fictional chronicles" with his amazing book that unfortunately too few have read: "El movimiento estridentista". To read it is an unforgettable experience. Its charming originality and verbal fireworks create a new dimension in written Spanish.

Germán the Revolutionary

The student of the Mexican Revolution will find Germán standing shoulder to shoulder with his comander who is struck down at his side. Later he finds him marching off with Carranza toward the Aljibes railway station where the tracks have been cut by the "Agua Prieta" rebellion. Not having a horse, Germán was left behind. His fellow soldiers set off without him and are ambushed in Tlaxcalantongo. Years earlier as a child in the city of Puebla, he witnessed the Serdán brothers initiate the Mexican Revolution and sees Aquiles Serdan dead just as earlier he had seen Madero in person alive.

Germán the Journalist

The journalist is well aware of the fact that the National Prize deservedly bestowed on Germán corresponds to his contribution to Mexican journalism. His eighty years as an incisive member of the press gives to him the mantle of doyen of journalism.

Germán the Educator

As an educator it can be said that Germán has taught constantly and generously over the years. Vouching for a liberating as well as liberal education, he wrote "Exercises in Non Religious Education" while on a special scholarship awarded to him in the state of Michoacan by then Governor Lázaro Cárdenas. This critical book was so successful that the Church placed it on the Vatican Index threatening excommunication to those who owned or read the book. Contrarily, in Mexico it was viewed as an honor for a contemporary Mexican book to be placed on the same shelf as those of Copernicus, Bruno, Kepler and Galileo.

Germán the Internationalist!

Viewed internationally one learns that Agusto Sandino personally named him honorary Captain of the Guards. Why this honor? In time of war and as a dangerous escapade Germán carries across the US the very flag that Sandino captured at the Battle of Chipote. This flag proved what was being emphatically denied: that the US was indeed intervening in Nicaragua.

The first World Anti Imperialist Congress in Frankfurt (1929) finds Germán unfurling the flag in front of the assembly presided by Nehru, Madame Sun Yat Sen, Katayama and others who at the time lead the wars of liberation in their home countries. Germán received an historical ovation that shook the assembly. That is why the Russian Workers Delegation decided to protect him and take him for almost a year to Russia. Later in Moscow he is given the famous Lenin Award. Daniel Ortega, decades later, brings Germán to Nicaragua and in front of a special parade of Sandinista Army troops bestows on him an officer's commission - a genuine rank, not just honorary.
 

Germán the Poet

The world of poetry cannot ignore the fact that Germán is the poet of the "Estridentista" movement. Along with other great poets of that movement, and as one of the most original among them, Germán has earned his niche in Spanish Literature. While others, even the famed Maples Arce, were still counting syllables, Germán frees poetry from all vestiges of prosaic rhetoric. He uses novel word combinations, original metaphors and images to set his cadence instead of relying on the conventional . Perhaps he was the only one of his contemporaries able to reach the realm of "pure poetry".

Germán the Rebel

For the political activist it is clear that Germán fought his battles for progressive ideals such as workers' rights and free compulsive lay education. Progressive political and social causes have always found Germán on the firing line.

Germán as Editor

Germán has been editor to many of the brightest talents in Mexico even if it was necessary to edit their books at his own expense. Under the alias of "Integrales", he published two important novels of the Revolution: "Cartucho" by Nellie Campobello; and "Asonada" by José Mancisidor.

An intimate friend of Tina Modotti and a sentimental companion of Nellie Campobello, he has played the role of the hero, dandy and valiant (as in the characters of the Mexican child's game "loteria"). He is father to "more than four", a fascinating conversationalist, a world traveler, a faithful friend, the "hatless wanderer", voice and conscience of the Mexican Left. All this and more Germán List Arzubide has been. An homage to Germán must cover an entire period of contemporary Mexican History with its many personages who forged the outstanding events of their times.

Germán and grandson Robin in front
of Robin's statue honoring the
"estridentistas" in Chapultepec
Park's Poet's Lane in 1997.