The presence of Illas in the work of three Asturian literary authors

Abstract

The following article is intended to show readers a piece of the council of Illas covering a chronological axis that includes the second half of the 19^th century and the first third of the 20^th century. Although this Asturian council could be presented through other disciplines, such as geography, history, art, anthropology, among others, it is not less true that presenting Illas through literature means getting to know a little of the aforesaid place in Asturias using an instrument such as literary creation. Asturian literature, even if not especially voluminous or extensive in works, has this council present in very specific works by also very specific Asturian writers. Through this group of works, some characteristics of the council of Illas such as geography, brief historical aspects, traditional customs and other details evidence people’s way of life in the council in certain time segments. Therefore, it can be deduced that the work has anthropological, social and linguistic characteristics because literature participates of these dimensions due to its author living within a society and expressing himself in a specific language that leaves testimony of that place. In the case of Illas, we present the work of three Asturian authors with works about this council. The aim is to make Illas known and increase the body of knowledge around this council from literary works, showing the most typical essence that this Asturian council currently strives to maintain. At the same time, it is also underlined the literary relevance within the Asturian literary scene of the three authors who provided knowledge about Illas with their works: Armando Palacio Valdés, David Arias and Benigno García González «Marcos del Torniello».