Spanish Cultural Journalism in Mexico during the Revolution: Ricardo de Alcázar and the Magazine Rojo y Gualda, 1916-1917

Abstract

This text analyzes the first stage of the cultural weekly Rojo y Gualda, founded by Ricardo de Alcázar, Florisel, a well-known Spanish journalist and writer based in Mexico City. A long tradition of Spanish journalism in Mexico preceded the establishment of this publication, whose appearance in March 1916 disrupted the belligerent and interventionist character of the Spanish press in the early revolutionary period. After several years of silence, this was the first successful attempt to launch a new journalistic enterprise within the Spanish colony in Mexico. However, without dismissing the topics and modes dear to the group it was intended for, the magazine had to make certain reforms to survive the hostile revolutionary climate and continue publishing for four and a half years until September 1920. This article traces a biographical profile of Florisel, editor of the weekly during the first 16 months, and describes the journalistic context where it appeared, as well as its format, stages, sections and genres, its contributors and main subjects.