cronica

Cronica (crónica in Spanish; crônica in Portuguese) is a term used to denote a chronicle or chronicle-like narrative. It derives from Latin chronica, from Greek chronikē, and is tied to the idea of recording events in their sequence over time. In both languages, crónica can refer to a historical record, a narrative of real events, or a literary genre.

In literature, crónica describes a narrative that preserves events with attention to sequence and detail, often blending factual reporting with descriptive and reflective elements. It may recount historical happenings, travelogues, or contemporary life, sometimes adopting a journalist’s eye and a writer’s sensibility. The form ranges from chronicles of real history to modern works that use journalistic techniques within fiction.

In journalism, a crónica is a long-form piece that investigates or narrates a single event or theme with emphasis on scene setting, witnesses, and texture, rather than a brief news item. It sits alongside straight reporting and feature writing, and is common in newspapers, magazines, and digital media in the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking world.

The term appears in the titles of works and publications, including novels such as Crónica de una muerte anunciada by Gabriel García Márquez, and as part of newspaper or magazine names like La Crónica in various countries. The usage varies by region, but the core idea remains the same: a written account that unfolds over time to chronicle people, places, and events.