Sindicalismo.org || Between July 10 and 20, the city will commemorate one of the most decisive episodes in its contemporary history through conferences, historical tours, screenings, concerts, and meetings that will analyze both the legacy of the 1936 Revolution and its influence on current social movements.
Barcelona will look back at one of the events that marked its history this coming July. Various Catalan libertarian organizations have organized a wide-ranging program of activities to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the 1936 Social Revolution, an experience considered by many historians to be one of the greatest social transformations led by the working class in Europe during the 20th century.
The events, which will take place between July 10 and 20 in different locations throughout the city, will combine historical memory, political analysis and cultural activities open to the public with the aim of bringing this episode closer to new generations.
When Barcelona defeated the military coup
The early morning of July 19, 1936, marked a turning point in the history of the Catalan capital. Factory sirens began to sound shortly after five in the morning, alerting thousands of workers who took to the streets to confront the military uprising launched the previous day by the rebel generals.
With hardly any institutional support and with limited weaponry, the workers’ organizations, especially the National Confederation of Labor (CNT), erected barricades and resisted the advance of the troops in some of the main points of Barcelona, such as Plaça de Catalunya, Las Ramblas, El Paral·lel, Via Laietana and the vicinity of the port.
After more than a day of intense fighting, the assault on the Sant Andreu barracks allowed the militiamen to seize thousands of rifles, a decisive factor in tipping the balance in favor of the popular forces. Hours later, the surrender of General Manuel Goded confirmed the failure of the military coup in Catalonia.
The beginning of a profound social transformation
The defeat of the military gave way to a revolutionary experience that transformed the economic and social organization of large areas of Catalonia.
Thousands of businesses, factories, workshops, transport companies, and farms were collectivized and placed under the management of the workers themselves. Simultaneously, educational, cultural, and social reforms were implemented, promoting a revamped public education system, greater equality between men and women, and new policies related to reproductive rights and individual freedoms.
During those months, Barcelona underwent a profound transformation that was also reflected in the urban landscape. Some emblematic buildings changed their function, and certain streets adopted new names linked to the libertarian movement, symbolizing the scope of the changes that were taking place.
At the same time, several columns of militiamen departed from the city for different war fronts to combat the advance of fascism. Among them, the famous Durruti Column stood out, becoming over time one of the great symbols of the anti-fascist resistance.
A comprehensive program to commemorate the Revolution
The 90th anniversary program will include lectures by historians and specialized researchers, documentary screenings, book presentations, guided tours of the sites of the July 1936 battles, and a tribute to Francisco Ascaso, one of the main anarchist leaders who died during the defense of Barcelona.
In addition, meetings will be held between libertarian groups to discuss education, social movements, defense of the territory and international experiences such as the autonomous administration of Rojava, whose political organization has been compared on numerous occasions with some principles of libertarian municipalism.
The activities will also reserve space for popular culture through poetry recitals, theater, circus, concerts and popular meals that aim to turn the commemoration into a space for citizen participation.
Memory as a tool for understanding the present
The organizers argue that the anniversary is not only about remembering the past, but also about opening a debate on current social challenges.
Among the issues that will be the focus of the discussions are access to housing, job insecurity, the rise of authoritarian rhetoric, the climate crisis, and the defense of social rights. They explain that many of these problems have parallels with the conflicts experienced by Spanish society during the 1930s.
Historians and activists agree that the Social Revolution of 1936 continues to arouse interest because it represents a unique experience of collective organization and self-management that, beyond its results, remains part of the historical and political heritage of Barcelona.
Ninety years later
Nine decades after those events, Barcelona will once again become the stage for collective reflection on one of the most significant chapters in its history. The conference aims to keep alive the memory of those who participated in those events and, at the same time, foster debate on the role that citizen participation, social organization, and historical memory can play in addressing the challenges of the 21st century.
