There are many spaces in Barcelona that tell us about the Spanish Civil War and many memories that the conflict has bequeathed to us, although not always well known. 

In this book club, we will reflect on the conflict that took place in the city between 1937 and 1939 based on three literary works: Topography of destruction. The bombings of Barcelona during the Civil War (1936-1939); Barcelona, January 1939; and Nazis in Barcelona. Post-war fascist splendour (1939-1945).

We will discuss the works with Mireia Capdevila, historian and author of two of the three books. And with her we will also tour some of the spaces where the narrated events took place.

• Topography of destruction. The bombings of Barcelona during the Civil War (1936-1939), by Laia Araño and Mireia Capdevila
  16 May, in the Castellví room of El Born CCM
  From February 1937 to January 1939, Barcelona was the victim of a test that the Nazi, Fascist and Franco air forces put into action over the Catalan capital following a methodical policy of destruction, terror and demoralization of the civilian population. They launched projectiles over Barceloneta, Ciutat Vella, Eixample, Poble sec, Poblenou… punishing their inhabitants over and over again.
  The book by Laia Araño and Mireia Capdevila includes the most complete and exhaustive census of the buildings in Barcelona affected by the bombings and has made it possible to geolocate the destruction of the aerial war on the historical cartography of the city.
  At the end of the session, there will be a visit to the Why war? exhibition.

• 23 May, ‘Bombarded Barcelona (1936-1939)’ itinerary
  In this itinerary through the centre of the city, we will remember the “urbicide” that the city suffered as a result of the bombings, we will visit some of the most emblematic points of this historical episode and learn about the effects that the enemy bombs had on the city.Meeting point at Pl. Universitat (in front of the main door of the UB building). Final point: Francesca Bonnemaison Library

• Barcelona, January 1939. The Fall, by Francesc Vilanova
  13 June, in the Moragues room of El Born CCM
  This work is a chronicle of the fall of Barcelona at the hands of a fascist regime and its occupation. It is largely the chronicle of the victors because, in the end, in the winter of 1939 only the civilian and military victors left documentary and graphic evidence of their triumph, of their return to municipal power and of the overwhelming revenge they took. The vanquished city (that of the retreating republican and civilian troops, that of the citizens who locked themselves in their homes and did not go down to the streets or go out on the balconies) disappeared from the stage and the silence spread everywhere.

• 20 June ‘January 1939. The fall of Barcelona into fascist hands’ itinerary
  We propose an itinerary that retraces some of the most emblematic points of the advance of Franco’s troops through the streets of the city on 26 January 1939, the date when Barcelona fell to the regime headed by General Francisco Franco.
  Meeting point at Pl. Universitat (in front of the main door of the UB building).
  Final point: Sant Pau Santa Creu Library.

•  Nazis in Barcelona. Post-war fascist splendour (1939-1945), by Francesc Vilanova and Mireia Capdevila
  11 July, in the Moragues room of El Born CCM
  Graphic chronicle of the presence of fascism in Barcelona during the post-war years. More than 400 photos and texts that follow the traces of Nazi iconography in public spaces, in social, political and cultural activity, and in the media and publications.

• 18 July, ‘Nazi Barcelona (1939-1945)’ itinerary
  We propose to you an itinerary through the city centre that will outline the presence of Nazi Germany in Barcelona during the post-war years. Emblematic spaces such as the University of Barcelona, Plaça de Sant Jaume or the Palau de la Música were decorated with swastikas and portraits of Hitler. Between 1939 and 1945, the Nazi and fascist presence in the city was repeated and the Franco regime, despite its official neutrality in the European war, had a great interest in showing its ideological and political similarity with the new European dictatorships. Along this route, we will get to know an unknown Barcelona that has been silenced for many years.
  Meeting point at Pl. Universitat (in front of the main door of the UB building).
  Final point: Francesca Bonnemaison Library.

This activity is part of the programme of the Why war? Exhibition and is organised with the collaboration of Barcelona Libraries and the Barcelona City Council Editorial Services.