Following the agreement between EH Bildu, PSN and Geroa Bai, the entire building will not be demolished, as demanded by dozens of memorial associations. They will change its meaning and turn it into ‘a center for denouncing fascism and for democratic memory’.
The associations for historical memory and for relatives of the victims of the Franco regime in Navarre were against the political agreement that the Monument of the Fallen of Pamplona will turn into a center of memory, since in the end the entire building will not be demolished, as they claimed.
They are considering that resign and not tear down the monument to the failed breaks with the government policies propagated so far, because the existence of the building itself symbolizes the impunity of Francoism.
In statements to Radio Euskadihave indicated that they feel betrayed by a decision that makes them victimized again. These associations say that the interpretation and memory centers should be located in places related to the victims, and not in the symbols of the executioner’s impunity, in this case of apologies for Francoism. Therefore, this decision breaks with the policy of memory places that have been promoted together with the institutions so far.
New use for the Monument of the Fallen: Hide the dome and create a memory center
Last February, the city council of the Navarrese capital launched a process to determine the future of the Franco monument. Finally, after months of discreet negotiationsEH Bildu, PSN and Geroa Bai have reached an agreement on the transformation of the Monument to the fallen of Pamplonaa building built in 1941 in memory of the Navarres who died on the Franco side in the Spanish Civil War, and the creation of the Miracles Lamberto Interpretation Center.
That is why the entire building will not be demolished, as more than thirty memorial associations have demanded in recent years. They will change its meaning and turn it into a space for the defense of freedom and democracy; They want it to become a place for the memory of the crimes and victims of the Franco regime.
The signatories of the agreement, which was presented yesterday at a press conference in the capital of Navarre, are committed to physical transformation of the building “that combines the demolition of architectural elements that… Franco symbols with the creation of a center to denounce fascism and for democratic memory.”
Thus, the disappearance of the crypts in which the coup plotters Emilio Mola and José Sanjurjo were buried, the removal of the marbles placed inside for the inauguration and which contain inscriptions that Franco has hidden today, and the demolition of the outer arches are expected.
An intervention on the outer dome is also planned so that the architectural element that “made visible the urban landscape of Pamplona and accompanied the urban landscape of Pamplona with a vocation to symbolic domination” remains hidden. This transformation will preserve the internal structure of the dome where Ramón Soltz’s paintings are located, and an agreement is also reached on the possibility of making changes to the front and rear facades “linked to the meaning of the new center and the renovation of the Plaza de la Libertad”. . and its environment”.
Reactions from political groups
PSN spokesperson, Ramon Alzorrizhas emphasized this “historical agreement in favor of historical memory” and against “fascism” that unblocks “a problem that has been deeply rooted for decades.”
For his part, Look Zabaletaof EH Bildu explained that the future center of Maravillas Lamberto will fulfill the dual function of “denouncing fascism and promoting democratic memory.”
Finally, Pablo Azkonaby Geroa Bai, has pointed out that it involves a “minimal agreement on a very complex issue” and a “certain social and political consensus” on a “Franco monument whose sole purpose was to praise fascist values and nothing contributes to Pamplona”.
UPNfor its part has indicated that the agreement is “unacceptable, dark and sectarian”. “It is a real shame to project in that building an environment of coexistence and peace under the leadership of EH Bildu Bildu, who are the heirs of the latest fascism in our country,” he said. Likewise, he added that “the Abertzales are interested in making visible the memory of Franco, whom we have always condemned, to try to hide the memory of ETA’s terrorism, which they still do not condemn .”
Source: EITB
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
