Pedagogy of memory around the bombing of Gernika

Gernika Gogoratuz commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Bombing of Gernika together with the Heinrich-Böll Foundation, the survivors of the air raid, the citizens of Gernika and its sister city of Pforzheim, within the framework of the 7th Conference for Culture and Peace. This event is also a memorial and tribute to the life, work and political legacy of Petra Karin Kelly.

The proposals made at the level of citizen diplomacy made the process of reconciliation between Guernica and Germany possible. The rapprochement between the two sides culminated in a gesture of great symbolic value: the greeting of Roman Herzog, President of Germany, addressed to the collective of survivors of the bombing.

The research for the memory recuperation of the collective of men and women survivors of the bombing of Gernika initiates the line of work of memory studies and culture of peace with the aim of opening spaces of encounter. Its aim is to analyse the consequences of wars, learn the lessons of recent history and debate the proposals emerging from the peace agenda.

The collective of men and women survivors, through Luis Iriondo, read a joint communiqué of reconciliation.

The Erich Maria Remarque Association based in Osnabrück (Germany) visits Gernika with the aim of discussing future collaboration projects on issues of Historical Memory on which Gernika Gogoratuz is already working.

Gernika Gogoratuz proposes a metaphor under the slogan “The art of remembering Gernika. Historical remembrance and commitment to peace” around art as an aesthetic experience to reflect its work in the field of memory and peace-building.

On April 25 and 26, Dieprand von Richthofen and Karl-Benedikt von Moreau visited Gernika at the invitation of Gernika Gogoratuz to take part in the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Bombing of Gernika.

Dieprand von Richthofen (hijo) y Karl-Benedikt von Moreau (sobrino) de los pilotos que bombardearon Gernika en abril de 1937.

Meetings of the collective of men and women survivors of the bombing of Gernika

Gernika Gogoratuz organises the meetings of male and female survivors every year from 1997 to 2010.

These activities are key to the recovery of historical memory through the narratives of the protagonists.

In 1997, during the 60th anniversary commemoration, the first meeting of survivors is held in the market square in Guernica.

The collective of men and women survivors, through Luis Iriondo, read a joint statement of reconciliation.

1999. III Encuentro

The survivors’ collective asked the then Government Minister of Culture to clarify the authorship of the Bombing of Guernica.

2001. V Encuentro

The “Life Stories” project is presented, with the participation of sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters of the survivors.

Ellen Fritsche, daughter of Commander Von Richthofen from Germany sends a letter to the survivors of Guernica.

2002. VI Encuentro

Artists from different parts of the world meet with survivors of the bombing of Guernica and relatives of survivors of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The first Historical Memory exhibition is organised.

2003. VII Encuentro

The survivors of Dresden (Germany) and Guernica write a joint manifesto against armed intervention in Iraq.

2004. VIII Encuentro

Dresden bombing survivors Nora Lang and Helga Sievers and the Mayor of Pforzheim, Christel Augenstein, visit Guernica.

2006. X Encuentro

The presentation of the project “Gernika. From the sky to the bottom” by the artist Anita Glesta from New York in which Gernika Gogoratuz collaborates.

2007. XI Encuentro

On the 70th anniversary of the commemoration of the bombing of Gernika, a meeting is held with representatives of the three associations of children of the war in the Basque Country (Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, Araba) and representatives of the collective of survivors of the bombing of Durango and Otxandio.

2009. XIII Encuentro

The photo book with images of the 10 years of meetings, lunches and activities of the survivors of the bombing of Gernika (1997-2008) is presented.

2010. XIVEncuentro

The meeting is held to share life stories and commemorations with testimonies from Otxandio (22 July 1936), Durango (31 March 1937), Sant Adriá de Besós (1937 and 1938), Nagasaki (9 August 1945) and Gernika (26 April 1037).

Activities

Every year, activities are carried out that provide a line of studies on memory and the culture of peace, allowing spaces to evoke memories, summon intentions and provoke reflections on the collective construction of peaceful coexistence.

Organised since 1991 as part of the commemoration of the Bombing of Gernika in collaboration with the town council.

Research projects

As part of the line of work on memory studies and the culture of peace, studies and training activities are carried out in order to develop a pedagogy of memory. Over the years, the following are carried out

projects to encourage the exchange of experiences and foster intergenerational dialogue.

Art and Memory

Published materials

The Gernika Network Collection publishes audiovisual materials and monographs in the field of memory studies and culture of peace.

In addition, Gernika Gogoratuz also collaborates in the publication of materials with other organisations.

Audiovisuals

Press dossier