The development of Spain’s first national civil war museum has been stalled by political disputes between the socialist national government and the right-wing regional government of Aragon. The disagreement centers on the representation of the Franco era, with the national government pushing for recognition of the Franco regime’s atrocities and the regional government seeking a more neutral portrayal.
George Orwell’s son, Richard Blair, has unveiled a bronze relief of his father in Huesca, Spain, nearly 90 years after Orwell nearly lost his life in the Spanish Civil War. The statue commemorates Orwell’s time fighting with the Republican forces and highlights the importance of preserving the memory of those who fought against fascism. The campaign to erect the statue was led by Blair and Spanish historian Victor Pardo, with support from Britain and Spain. The ceremony was marked by emotion and pride, with Blair kissing his father’s face on the statue. The unveiling of the statue also brings attention to the ongoing political controversy in Spain over the legacy of the civil war, with the right-wing PP and Vox parties attempting to whitewash the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco.
