Carmen Kurtz
Encyclopedia
Carmen Kurtz was a Catalan
writer, who wrote under the name of her husband, Pedro Kurtz, in Spanish
. Winner of various literary prizes - including the Planeta
, and others, she made her name as a writer during the 1960s with a series of children's books featuring the main character, a boy called Óscar, who had a pet goose
named Kina.
n immigrants who lived in United States, Mexico and Cuba. Her father was born in Havana
, Cuba
and her mother in Baltimore
, United States of America. Part of her education was received in the United Kingdom
and undoubtedly some of her experiences there were reflected in her books.
She married Frenchman Pedro Kurtz and lived in France
from 1935. The couple spent most of World War II
there; her husband spent two years in a Concentration camp. They moved back to Spain in 1943.
Carmen Kurtz began her literary career writing short stories. In 1955 she published her first novel, "Sleep under the water", which was awarded the City of Barcelona prize. The following year she won the Premio Planeta
with "The Unknown".
In 1962, Kurtz began a series of Children's books, featuring Óscar. "Cosmonaut Óscar" tells the story of a boy and his pet Goose Kina, who decide to build a rocket
. Although the adventure ends up being considered "just a dream", the truth is that Oscar travelled to other planets where he met socially advanced civilizations. This allowed for the introduction of a series of highly topical themes and was surprisingly advanced for its time.
Catalan people
The Catalans or Catalonians are the people from, or with origins in, Catalonia that form a historical nationality in Spain. The inhabitants of the adjacent portion of southern France are sometimes included in this definition...
writer, who wrote under the name of her husband, Pedro Kurtz, in Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. Winner of various literary prizes - including the Planeta
Premio Planeta
The Premio Planeta de Novela is a Spanish literary prize, awarded since 1952 by the Spanish publisher Grupo Planeta to an original novel written in Spanish . It is one of about 16 literary prizes given by Planeta....
, and others, she made her name as a writer during the 1960s with a series of children's books featuring the main character, a boy called Óscar, who had a pet goose
Goose
The word goose is the English name for a group of waterfowl, belonging to the family Anatidae. This family also includes swans, most of which are larger than true geese, and ducks, which are smaller....
named Kina.
Biography
Carmen de Rafael Marés was born into a cosmopolitan family. She was the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of CataloniaCatalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
n immigrants who lived in United States, Mexico and Cuba. Her father was born in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
and her mother in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, United States of America. Part of her education was received in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and undoubtedly some of her experiences there were reflected in her books.
She married Frenchman Pedro Kurtz and lived in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
from 1935. The couple spent most of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
there; her husband spent two years in a Concentration camp. They moved back to Spain in 1943.
Carmen Kurtz began her literary career writing short stories. In 1955 she published her first novel, "Sleep under the water", which was awarded the City of Barcelona prize. The following year she won the Premio Planeta
Premio Planeta
The Premio Planeta de Novela is a Spanish literary prize, awarded since 1952 by the Spanish publisher Grupo Planeta to an original novel written in Spanish . It is one of about 16 literary prizes given by Planeta....
with "The Unknown".
In 1962, Kurtz began a series of Children's books, featuring Óscar. "Cosmonaut Óscar" tells the story of a boy and his pet Goose Kina, who decide to build a rocket
Rocket
A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle which obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction...
. Although the adventure ends up being considered "just a dream", the truth is that Oscar travelled to other planets where he met socially advanced civilizations. This allowed for the introduction of a series of highly topical themes and was surprisingly advanced for its time.