In his speech Mr. Erkoreka appealed to the “right to the truth” in the face of denials that “even today seek to relativise the seriousness of the events” in the Bizkaia town of Gernika 80 years ago. He reminded his audience that the bombing lasted three and a half hours and was perpetrated by the German Condor Legion, allied with the pro-Franco forces. It caused widespread destruction and killed over 1600 people in the town.

Pamplona remembers the 3500 Navarrese people killed during the Civil War

On the anniversary of the 2nd Republic, Pamplona staged two tributes to those killed in Navarre during the Civil War and the Franco regime. The first was organised by the municipal council in tribute to councillors and council employees. After the event at the Town Hall a second commemoration was staged at the Vuelta del Castillo, where the Association of Families of those Executed by Firing Squad in Navarre paid tribute to the almost 3500 people shot in the province during the Civil War.

Elgeta re-creates the Battle of Intxorta

For the third year, Elgeta has re-created the Battle of Intxorta, where Basque soldiers defending the Republic held up the advance of Franco’s troops towards Bizkaia for 7 months.