Taula de Memòries
#MemòriesCanòdrom Memòries del Canòdrom
Education before and after the Spanish Civil War
🎙️ Documentació col·lectiva
The person who provided the photograph comments that they brought this picture to the Living Bank Memory because of the expressions on the children's faces. They believe that among them might be their father or uncle. They're not exactly sure which school it could be, but in the background, they identify the Arquitecte Millàs street. One participant suggests that perhaps the photo was taken before the Spanish Civil War, as boys and girls appear together; perhaps they could be students of the Cooperative School of Tramway Workers or the Esperanza School. The conversation flows, reflecting on post-war education and childhood experiences linked to the doorways of homes.
Post-war Education
Private and religious schools had large spaces, such as those run by the Jesuits. Other schools were located in small apartments, known as "district schools." Instruction was in Spanish, and Catalan was prohibited. "Upon entering, we had to sing “¡Arriba España!” and upon leaving, “Cara al Sol”". One participant highlights that it was a very different panorama from the period of the 1920s when it was approved to build new schools that would be "like palaces for children." For example, the Ramon Llul or Baixeras schools, majestic buildings still seen in Barcelona, all designed by the architect Goday.
The dictatorship had a significant impact on teachers: "All, all, all the teachers in this country went through a process of purification." They disqualified or executed teachers with strong leftist leanings. To illustrate, one participant mentions the film "The teacher who promised the sea." Today, there is a monument in Camp de la Bota that pays tribute to all those executed during the dictatorship.
Participants emphasize that while there were atrocities committed by all sides during the Civil War, when it ended, the war ended for some, but not for all. Franco signed death sentences until the very end. Such is the case of Salvador Puig Antich, 50 years ago. One participant recalls how she and those around her experienced the night before his execution: "I kept telling myself '(Franco) won't do it, he won't do it,...', others drank non-stop, others hid for fear of being next, others prayed...".
Childhood memories in the doorway
When recalling childhood, one participant mentions spending theirs in a doorway because their father was the gatekeeper. Another participant notes that in Barcelona, especially, it was mainly women who were gatekeepers. They share that there are studies analyzing how many women who migrated from rural areas started working as gatekeepers because by occupying the doorway, they were guaranteeing a home for their families. Additionally, by interacting with the building's residents, they could also bring in extra money, for example, by cleaning their homes. The problem was that upon retirement, they were left homeless.
👥Authors of the documentation
Pilar, Mercè, Neus i Enric.
⚙️ Methodology
Photograph documented collectively by participating neighbors in the group Fem Memòries del Canòdrom
📸 Assignor
Neus Garrido (assignor)
Related meetings:
We Make Memories. Memory Reconstruction Group of Canòdrom
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