Guatemalan National Anthem

The lyrics of the National Anthem of Guatemala are original by the Cuban poet José Joaquín Palma, and the music was composed by the master composer Rafael Álvarez Ovalle in 1897, on the occasion of the Central American Exposition of the government of General José María Reina Barrios.

The lyrics and the score were first printed in the cultural magazine La Ilustración Guatemalteca, where the author of the lyrics appeared as Anonymous. It was not until 1910, when it was already published. at the end of his life, that the Cuban poet and diplomat José Joaquín Palma confessed that he was the author; the government of lawyer Manuel Estrada Cabrera awarded both him and Rafael Álvarez Ovalle with gold laurel wreaths at the Minervalias Festival of that year.

By order of President General Jorge Ubico, in 1934, some changes were made by the pedagogue José María Bonilla Ruano to the lyrics of the hymn since it was very warmongering and reflected more to the Cuban war of independence -in the that Palma had actively participated- than to the Independence of Central America.

History and Origins

Origins

In 1879, the “El Porvenir” Literary Society tried unsuccessfully to create a National Anthem for Guatemala. Until 1887, the president of Guatemala, General Manuel Lisandro Barillas Bercián, called a contest to choose the music that would complement the lyrics of the "National Anthem" written by the poet Ramón P. Molina. Distinguished composers took part in this contest, and the triumph was awarded to the music presented by Rafael Álvarez Ovalle.

Contest organized by Reina Barrios

Teatro Colón after its remodeling in 1892. The National Anthem of Guatemala was released here.

In 1896, the government of General José María Reina Barrios called for a new contest, «Considering that there is a lack of a National Anthem in Guatemala, since the one known by that name to this day not only suffers from notable defects, but it has not been officially declared as such; and that it is convenient to provide the country with a hymn that, due to its lyrics and music, responds to the high purposes in which all educated people lend this kind of compositions". setting to music a poem covered by the pseudonym "Anonymous".

The victory once again awarded to maestro Álvarez Ovalle cost him the most bitter moments of his existence, since there was discontent among those who did not win, who even sent their complaint to the president. Reina Barrios, in the presence of the members of his cabinet, other personalities and teachers of musical art, listened again to all the compositions that competed in the contest, having been unanimously elected again, that of the teacher Rafael Álvarez Ovalle.

Regarding the lyrics, the qualifying jury determined the following:

As can be seen, the Cuban poet José Joaquín Palma was a member of the qualifying jury.

The premiere of the National Anthem took place in the literary lyrical act held at the Teatro Colón (Guatemala) on the night of Sunday, March 14, 1897, as one of the main points of the festivities program of the Central American Exposition, having been the teacher Rafael Álvarez Ovalle was awarded a gold medal and a diploma of honor.

Palma confesses to being the author

The author of the lyrics of the National Anthem of Guatemala remained in the deepest mystery until 1911, when it was discovered that its author was the Cuban poet José Joaquín Palma, since he revealed on his deathbed that he was the author of the lyrics of the hymn.

Sound score

Audio is automatically generated from the score, and serves as the piano backing track for the singing.

Sound score of the NATIONAL ANTHEM OF GUATEMALA

Letter

Original Lyrics of the Hymn (1897 - 1934)

	National Anthem of Guatemala (1897-1934), Incomplete
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Poet and procer Cuban José Joaquín Palma, author of the original letter of the Anthem.

Guatemalan composer Rafael Álvarez Ovalle, author of the hymn's music. Photograph by The Guatemalan Illustration 1897.

The original lyrics of the Guatemalan Anthem written by the Cuban poet José Joaquín Palma were warmongering since Palma was inspired more by the political situation that his native Cuba was going through, than the one Guatemala lived through during its independence: while Central America After separating from the Spanish Empire peacefully, Cuba was waging a ferocious war against Spain at the time Palma wrote the Anthem. Because it does not reflect the Guatemalan reality, the letter was modified in 1934, according to the Government Decree of the government of General Jorge Ubico Castañeda of July 26, 1934.

Here are the lyrics, as written by José Joaquín Palma:

Current lyrics of the Anthem (1934 to present)

Facsimile with the original letter of J.J. Palma with verses of the National Anthem, written in 1,897.
Guatemala National History Museum.

The lyrics of the National Anthem were modified by the Guatemalan poet and educator José María Bonilla Ruano, on instructions from the government of General Jorge Ubico.

After modifications made by Bonilla Ruano in 1934, the national anthem is sung with these lyrics:

Certifications

The National Anthem of Guatemala has been considered by Carlos Labin, a member of the Americanist Society of Paris and the Musicological Society of France, as the "most original" of all the anthems of the American continent.