In October 2024, the WIRE project concluded its Memory Route with a profound exploration of Catalonia’s historical landscapes. This final stop of the journey, titled “Memory in the Walking,” focused on the experiences of women in the Resistance during the Spanish Civil War and the post-war period.
The activities began with participants arriving in Barcelona on October 28th. The day included a discussion with members of the Associació Catalana de Persones Ex-preses Polítiques del Franquisme, shedding light on the political repression against women during the Francoist dictatorship. This was followed by a Spanish Civil War tour, covering key sites in Barcelona and themes such as anarchism, the International Brigades, and the daily lives of women and children during the war.
On October 29th, the group traveled to La Jonquera to visit the Exile Memorial Museum (MUME). The day included a visit to the Mina Canta memory site and a walk to Coll de Lli, where participants learned about the Spanish republican exile and the life stories of Spanish women in exile. The day concluded with a workshop at MUME focusing on Spanish women in exile.
The following days were filled with conferences and seminars at the Museu d’Història de Catalunya and the Centre Cultural El Born, featuring prominent historians and scholars such as Mercedes Yusta, Tasoula Vervenioti, Roberta Mira, and Barbara Klich-Kluczewska. These sessions provided deep insights into the roles and contributions of women in resistance movements across Europe.
Organized by Memorial Democràtic, the Memory Route in Catalonia not only enriched the participants’ understanding of historical events but also emphasized the importance of preserving and disseminating these stories. This final stop in the WIRE project served as a powerful reminder of the resilience and courage of women who fought against oppression, and the enduring relevance of their stories in today’s world.
