Antonio Machado, whose legacy remains relevant 150 years after his birth, is recognized not only as a poet but also as a profound thinker who challenged the academic dogmas of his time. Born in Seville in 1875, Machado became an emblematic figure of critical thought, fusing poetry and philosophy in his works. His philosophical approach, influenced by figures such as Nietzsche and Bergson, rejected rigid systematization, preferring to explore the mystery of life through everyday experiences and reflections. Their fictitious identities, Abel Martín and Juan de Mairena, served as vehicles for expressing a thought that was accessible and full of aphorisms, which reflected their belief in the multiplicity and heterogeneity of the human being.
Spending a large part of his life in constant motion through places such as Madrid, Paris, and Barcelona, Machado spent his last days in exile in Collioure, fleeing Francoism. Throughout his life, he cultivated a mindset centered on hope and permanent possibility, criticizing utilitarianism and pragmatism, which, according to him, postpone living fully in the present. He warned about philosophies that homogenize reality and defended the power of poetry to capture the complexities of human existence. While I was struggling with the same doubts and moral dilemmas that accompany us today, his work remains an invitation to question taken-for-granted truths and to seek an authentic connection with others through compassion and mutual responsibility.
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