Spain to mark Franco's death anniversary with 480 activities to 'indoctrinate in democracy'

The Spanish government is planning a broad campaign to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of dictator Francisco Franco, with 480 activities taking place before the end of the year.

Although no major event is planned in Barcelona or Madrid, events have been organized around the country to highlight the rights and freedoms gained from the end of the regime.

During the presentation of the campaign 'Democracy is Your Power', the Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres, highlighted the importance of the program and pledged to "indoctrinate" the population "in democracy" and against "authoritarianism".

The dictatorship came to an end when Franco died on November 20, 1975. This Thursday will mark the 50th anniversary of the day that ushered in the transition to democracy in Spain. 

The commissioner in charge of the commemorative events for the end of Francoism aims to extend the program until 2026, or even beyond.

Torres explained that all provinces in the country will host concerts, street performances, theatrical workshops, exhibitions, audiovisual projections, or conferences.

However, in the regions controlled by the conservative People's Party, collaboration has instead been focused on the local councils or the delegations of the Spanish government.

Torres highlighted that the campaign is to celebrate "half a century of freedoms," while also celebrating that Spain is a diverse country rich in "territories, languages, traditions, and cultural expressions."

The program aims to show the differences in the rights and freedoms that current democracy offers with the deprivations and repression experienced during the dictatorship.

The minister pointed out the need to carry out campaigns to promote democracy, which he said can even be "criticized," something that could not happen during the Franco regime.

The government also wants to be clear that the designed program does not "commemorate anyone's death," but rather wants to remember "the beginning of the end" of a dictatorship. 

Events in Catalonia

As in Madrid, there will be no central event in Catalonia to commemorate the death of the dictator. 

Instead, events are planned such as the "sensory exhibition" entitled 'l'Oasi', which aims to pay tribute to four women who fought against the Franco dictatorship from underground with an "immersive and sensory space" inspired by a flat in the neighbourhood of Barceloneta that, in 1941, served as a refuge, meeting centre, and coordination point for young resistance fighters.

There will also be the play "The Undertaker", performed this Wednesday at the Picasso Museum in Barcelona, ​​and the theatrical conference '1936. The protagonists of the war', which will take place in El Prat de Llobregat in December.