Spanish Civil War Memory Project

Summary

Ángeles García Madrid recounts beginning to work in a sewing shop in 1931 at age thirteen. Ángeles speaks about joining a Socialist Circle, the 1936 elections, the bienio negro (1934-36), and the bombardments and hunger during the Civil War. She recalls overseeing the group that made uniforms for the 49 Brigade. Ángeles relates being detained in the Ventas prison for a year and details its horrible conditions. She tells of defending herself in court during her trial in 1940. Ángeles remembers being given the death penalty and having her sentence reduced to twelve years in prison. She narrates being accused again days later, imprisoned in Tarragona for twelve days then in the Les Corts Prison and in Gerona, and released as a result of a decree. Ángeles discusses facing difficulties seeking employment and finding work in a tailor's shop and later as a pants maker. She describes her militancy in the Partido Socialista Obrero Español (Spanish Socialist Party) and the Asociación de Ex-presos y Represaliados Políticos Antifranquistas (Association of Former Political Prisoners and Anti-Francoist Fighters). Ángeles notes beginning to write poetry at age thirteen. Her first edited book was "Poemas desde la cárcel", and explains the difficulties trying to publish "Réquiem por la libertad", and comments on her awards. Ángeles recites her poems "No llames a la puerta" and "A trece flores caídas"