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Introduction
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Fill, Madrid et necessita. Tot pel Madrid heroic! Diada Internacional de la Dona Antifeixista, Diumenge dia -7- a les deu del mati. Totes les dones a la Monumental[Son! Madrid needs you. Give your all to heroic Madrid. The International Day of the Anti-Fascist Woman, Sunday, the 7th, at 10 a.m. All women are invited to the Monumental.]. Paco Ribera. Sindicat de Dibuxants Professionals Poster, 3 colors; 99 x 72 cm |
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The image and text of this poster touches on three main themes. The first theme is the spirit of solidarity that existed between different regions of Republican Spain. The main action of the poster shows a mother speaking to her son presumably telling him, "Madrid needs you." Significantly, the language of the poster is Catalan, the main language of Barcelona and the region of Cataluña. The use of Catalan indicates an appeal to the people of Cataluña to provide aid in defending Madrid in the region of Spain known as Castile. Thus, such posters encourage people to overcome regional tensions to create a unified effort against the fascists. The phrase "heroic Madrid" points to a second main theme - the inspirational resistance of the madrileños to the Nationalist armies. After squashing the initial uprising of Nationalist generals and troops in July of 1936, Madrid remained a Republican stronghold until March 28, 1939 just days before the total surrender of Republican Spain on March 31, 1939. Throughout the war, Madrid and its brave population of defenders became somewhat of an icon of hope throughout Republican Spain. The conflict in Madrid also led to one of the main rallying cries for madrileños and Republican Spain. On July 18, 1936, the outspoken anti-fascist Dolores Ibarruri, also known as La Pasionaria, gave a radio speech to rally the people of Madrid in which she proclaimed: "No Pasáran!" (They will not pass!). This phrase became the battle cry throughout the Republic. Finally, the poster also serves as an announcement of the date and time of the International Day of Anti-fascist women. It is representative of the important role that women played in the war effort. While Dolores Ibarruri became a national figure and organizer of the women's anti-fascist movement, larger numbers of women experienced greater opportunities for participation in the political sphere, with formation of political groups such as Mujeres Antifascistas (Antifascist Women), and even in the war effort where they worked in the rearguard providing medical support and on the frontlines as soldiers. During the Civil War, many women's groups made the most of the revolutionary context to push for expanded rights and opportunities for women in all facets of Spanish life. The poster was produced by the Sindicat de Dibuxants Professional (Professional Painters Syndicate). Little is known about the artist, Paco Ribera. |
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