A Spanish voice from the solitude of exile. Letters from Izabela Wolikowska to María Barbeito
María Rosario Martínez Martínez
Published: 17/12/2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31338/ahi.2025.4.10
ABSTRACT: These letters, written by Polish writer Isabela Wolikowska between 1956 and 1965 and addressed to La Coruña intellectual and teacher, Maria Barbeito Cerviño, show that, despite profound political differences, a sincere friendship is possible. Years before writing these letters, the conservative Wolikowska had supported General Francisco Franco´s coup. Its success had led to Barbeito´s purge, a defender of republican ideals and the modernization of her country. Once in exile, Izabella had set out to alleviate her mother´s total isolation, Spanish writer Sofia Casanova, forced to live on the other side of the “Iron Curtain”. To this end, she established a communication channel through Canada, which ultimately forged a deep friendship between Wolikowska and some prominent La Coruña residents, such as María Barbeito and José Luis Bugallal. She shared with them her sorrows, worries and disappointments, including the unsuccessful repatriation of her mother´s remains.
KEYWORDS: María Barbeito, Izabela Wolikowska, Sofía Casanova, Canada, exile.
