Medieval Spanish Literature (La Celestina & Libro de Buen Amor): Performance and Visual Arts

"Parts of the Libro de Buen Amor and scenes from La Celestina are recited and performed today before the general, non-academic public of Spain and of Spanish America.

The Libro de Buen Amor and La Celestina are not historical relics, two antiques whose dates and contents one must memorize to pass college examinations: they are two living books."

María Rosa Lida wrote the above works in 1961 in her introduction to the Libro de buen amor and La Celestina in Two Spanish Masterpieces. The statement is still valid today and captures the importance and vitality of the two Hispano-medieval works, which had--and continue to have--impact on European and World letters--from Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, to Rosario Castellanos, to even Tony Kashner's 1990s play, The Illusion. Film and theatrical adaptations of the texts continue through the present day.

In addition to these adpatations, La Celestina and El Libro de Buen Amor have also been influential themes in art over the centuries.