The Arrival of Maria Montessori in Barcelona and the International Course of 1916

Abstract

Dr. Maria Montessori is one of the most recognized women in the world for her work in educating children. Although there are many studies and writings on her work, there is still much to know about his career, especially in the years of the connection with Barcelona and Catalonia. In this paper I intend to provide some new data on the reasons and circumstances of her arrival and her first international course in Barcelona. The Mancomunitat of Catalonia organized around her educational proposal many of the projects to improve that Catalan society at the beginning of the century. Eladi Homs was one of the people in charge of managing these first years. The recovery of his personal correspondence has given birth to hitherto unknown information. Dr. Montessori’s collaboration with Catalan institutions was cut short in 1922 but she recovered much more strongly from 1929 when she returned to live in Barcelona. Knowing better the details and circumstances of her work and influence in Barcelona gives us clues to understand the subsequent evolution of the so-called Catalan pedagogical renewal that is still very much alive today.