National anthem of Guatemala

The national anthem of Guatemala (Himno Nacional de Guatemala) was an initiative of the government of General José María Reina Barrios. Its music was composed by and its original lyrics written by Cuban poet and diplomat José Joaquín Palma, in the context of the cultural and industrial event Exposición Centroamericana of 1897.

The anthem was particularly warmongering and reflected the Cuban War of Independence more than the independence of Central America. Due to this, by a 1934 order of President Jorge Ubico some changes to the lyrics were made by pedagogue José María Bonilla Ruano.

The lyrics and score were printed for the first time in the culture magazine La Ilustración Guatemalteca, where the original author of the lyrics appeared as "Anonymous". It was not until 1910, shortly before his death, that Palma confessed being the author.

Origins
In 1879, the El Porvenir Literary Society unsuccessfully attempted to create a national anthem for Guatemala. In 1887, the president of Guatemala, General Manuel Lisandro Barillas Bercián, called for a competition to choose music that would complement the lyrics of the "" written by poet Ramón P. Molina. Distinguished composers took part in this competition, and the triumph was awarded to music presented by.

Competition organised by Reina Barrios


In 1896, the government of General José María Reina Barrios called for a new competition, "considering that Guatemala lacks a National Anthem, since the one known to this day by that name not only suffers from notable defects, but also has not been officially declared as such; and that it is convenient to provide the country with an anthem that, through its lyrics and music, responds to the lofty purposes for which all educated people lend this kind of composition." In this new competition, Rafael Álvarez Ovalle's work was chosen again, this time musicalising a poem written under the pseudonym "Anonymous".

The victory granted again to the teacher Álvarez Ovalle cost him the most bitter moments of his existence, as there was discontent among those who did not win, who even sent their complaint to the president. Reina Barrios, in the presence of the members of his cabinet, other figures and teachers of musical art, listened again to all the compositions that competed in the competition, and Álvarez Ovalle's was unanimously selected again.

With respect to the lyrics, the qualifying jury determined the following:

"'Guatemala, 27 October 1896. Mr. Minister of Public Instruction. Present.

In compliance with the honourable commission with which you favoured us, taking charge of the qualification of the 'national anthems' presented to this secretariat, by virtue of the competition opened by the agreement of the 24th of last July, we have examined the twelve compositions that with such objective you were kind enough to send us on the 15th of the current. Encouraged by best wishes, and with a view to making the appointment required by the aforementioned agreement, we have met several times, and after a long and careful examination, we have the honour to inform you that, in our opinion, the anthem that begins with the words Guatemala feliz and carries at the bottom the lyrics of 'Anonymous' in parentheses is the one that best responds to the conditions of the call and deserves, therefore, the prize offered. Thus we have the honour of issuing the report that the secretariat of your worthy position requested of us, writing to us with all consideration and appreciation, the minister, very attentive and reliable servants.

José Leonard, J. J. Palma, F. Castañeda.'"

As can be seen, Cuban poet José Joaquín Palma was a member of the qualifying jury.

Palma's lyrics were officially adopted on 28 October 1896, while Álvarez Ovalle's music was officially adopted on 19 February 1897. The premiere of the National Anthem took place in the literary lyrical act held at the Colón Theatre on the night of Sunday, 14 March 1897, as one of the main points of the programme of celebrations of the Exposición Centroamericana, with Álvarez Ovalle being decorated with a medal of gold and diploma of honour.

Palma confesses to being the author
The author of the lyrics of the National Anthem of Guatemala remained a deep mystery until 1910, when it was discovered that its author was Cuban poet José Joaquín Palma, since he revealed on his deathbed that he was the author of the lyrics of the anthem. The government of Manuel Estrada Cabrera awarded both him and Rafael Álvarez Ovalle with gold laurel wreaths at the that year.

Original lyrics (1897–1934)




The original lyrics of the Guatemalan anthem written by José Joaquín Palma were warlike, since Palma was inspired more by the political situation his native Cuba was going through than that Guatemala experienced during its independence: while Central America separated from Spanish Empire peacefully, Cuba was waging a fierce war against Spain at the time Palma wrote the anthem.

Current lyrics (1934–present)


For not reflecting Guatemalan reality, Palma's lyrics were modified by Guatemalan poet and pedagogue José María Bonilla Ruano in 1934, according to the Government Decree of 26 July 1934 by the government of General Jorge Ubico Castañeda. These are the lyrics sung today.

Certifications
The National Anthem of Guatemala has been considered by Carlos Labin, a member of the Americanist Society of Paris and the Musicology Society of France, as the "most original" of all the anthems of the American continent.