The Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres, participated today, together with the Minister of Children and Youth, Sira Rego; and the Commissioner for the Commemoration of ‘Spain in Freedom. 50 Years’, Carmina Gustrán, on the ‘Exile Route’, in which 40 young people have traveled the steps of republican and civil exile through Navarre, Catalonia and France.
During the first week of Ruta, which began in Madrid on July 15, the “Ruteros y Ruteras” visited, with the help of the pedagogy team, local historians and specialized guides, places of memory in Navarre such as the Fort of San Cristobal, the Park of the Memory of Sartagudo, the Concentration Camp of Gurs and the Sima Legarrea, and enjoyed unique experiences such as a night smuggling route in Lizuniaga by the hand of Santiago Elizagoien (former smuggler) and Mikel Albisu (mountain guide).
Today, the activities of the youth camp organized by the Association Be Wild Be Proud and the Association Ruta Al Exilio, within the framework of the program ‘Spain in Freedom. 50 years’, have developed between key spaces of the historical memory of the republican exile in the south of France, where thousands of people sought refuge fleeing Franco’s repression at the end of the Spanish War of 36-39.
During the meeting, Ángel Víctor Torres, Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, said that "the Government of Spain continues to consolidate its objective of complying with and enforcing the Democratic Memory Law and honoring the principles of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-repetition. “On that path,” he continued, “the role of the youth of our country is fundamental. They and they are our present and our future, and they must build the Spain of tomorrow from the solid foundations of historical truth and the recognition of those who sacrificed themselves so that they can enjoy one of the most advanced democracies in the world."
The youth minister Sira Rego has highlighted the importance of this initiative being led by young people who are involved and mobilized. “This activity is an example of the commitment of youth to democratic memory, not only as a historical work, but also as a tool to improve our society by strengthening democratic values and curbing hate speech.”
In this regard, Carmina Gustrán, Commissioner for the Celebration of Spain’s 50th Anniversary in Freedom, has highlighted the importance of “connecting that historical knowledge with the problems of the present, so that we can approach them from a critical perspective and that serves to avoid past mistakes.” Likewise, the head of the Commissioner of Spain in Libertad 50 years - who this year covers much of the Route to Exile and next year a new version around the Route of the Desbandá, between Malaga and Almeria - wanted to highlight that within the programming of the 50 years of Spain in freedom an exhibition will be held that will bring together the creative projects that have been made by the routers and routers of this activity promoted by the INJUVE and that this year celebrates its fifth edition.
The day has begun in La Coûme, a mountain refuge that welcomed child refugees from the war since 1933, with subsequent transfer to the Rivesaltes Field Memorial Museum, which housed for almost 70 years the largest concentration camp in the West and also the longest lasting one; created in 1939 to house the Spanish Republican exiles.
After the visit to the museum and a lunch break, in Argelès-sur-Mer, the participants were able to get to know this historical enclave, symbol of the memory of the Republican exile by the association Fils et Filles de Républicains Espagnols et Enfants de l’Exode, (Sons and daughters of Spanish Republicans and children of exile), who shared with the young people their family testimonies. Afterwards, the group goes to Portbou, with a stop at the beach followed by a visit to the Monument to Walter Benjamin, a German philosopher who died in this town fleeing Nazism.
The day will end with the return to the next camp located in La Jonquera.
This day combines the exercise of memory with institutional commitment, and puts youth participation and the transmission of history at the center as a tool in the democratic construction of present and future.