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ART
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Art in the struggle for freedom |
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| It was so long ago, yet for those who remember and for those who newly discover it, the Spanish Civil War still exerts a magical power. What was it about that war and the men who fought it that captured the hearts and minds of a whole generation and left so deep a mark on everyone touched by it? In 1936, the spectre of fascism haunted the world. Mussolini had conquered Ethiopia, Japanese militarism had infested China, and Nazi Germany was rapidly re-arming. As the gathering storm clouds darkened the sky, fascism struck another blow. The Spanish army rose in rebellion against the legally elected government. Expecting a rapid victory, they had not reckoned with the people of Spain. Workers, peasants, students and |
intellectuals
rallied to the defense of their Republic. And though poorly armed, they
crushed the rebellion in the major cities of Madrid, Barcelona, and
Valencia. It was only the intervention of Germany, Italy, Portugal and
Moorish mercenaries that saved the rebels. They poured modern arms and
thousands of regular army units into Spain and thus transformed the civil
war into a war of national independence. The heroic resistance of the Spanish people gave hope and inspiration to democratic forces allover the world. Madrid glowed like a beacon in the darkness of appeasement and surrender and became the conscience of the world. And from that conscience, a new historic phenomenon was born - the International Brigades. |
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SHOUTS FROM THE WALL |
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LA PASIONARIA "It is hard to say a
few words in farewell to the heroes of the International Brigades. A
feeling of sorrow, an infinite grief catches our throats... sorrow for
those who are going away, for the soldiers who are going away, for the
soldiers of the highest ideal of human redemption, exiles from their
countries, persecuted by the tyrants of all peoples... grief for those who
will stay here forever, mingling with the Spanish soil or in the very
depths of our hearts, bathed in the light of our gratitude. |
color call 206.364.4521
ABE
OSHEROFF email: osheroff@w-link.net |
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