Two weeks before the historic visit of German Head of State and President of the Republic Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Vitoria, Guernica and Bilbao to make amends for the Nazi bombings of 1937, the agenda is not yet finished, but the central government is working on the hypothesis that a “high-level” representative from the Spanish side will also be present. The possibility that Spain’s head of state, King Felipe VI, may also participate is not ruled out, adding symbolism to the compensation for the attacked town on the 88th anniversary of the attack and the 50th anniversary of Francisco Franco’s death. Otherwise, a visit by Head of Government Pedro Sánchez would be an option. If the plan does not fail, it will be Imanol Pradales of Lehendakali who will receive the Steinmeier.
“I have no doubt that the representatives of the Spanish government will fulfill their mandate,” said Marisol Garmendia, head of the central executive branch of Euskadi. Garmendia held the event in Salbrua, exactly on the grounds of the former Vitoria airfield, the site of a Nazi airbase during the Civil War and from which the planes that attacked Guernica departed. The newspaper Garmendia also highlighted the “importance” of the German president’s visit, which he plans to visit Madrid from the 26th at the invitation of King Felipe VI, ahead of his visit to Euskadi. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working hard to finalize details for the event, which will also include bilateral meetings of state and local law enforcement officials.
This is Germany’s most important reparations act. It comes 88 years after the massacre, its darkest anniversary. This surpasses the reading of an apology by another president, Roman Herzog, in Guernica in 1997 to commemorate the country’s 60th anniversary. Prior to this, in 1996 the federal government provided funding for the construction of a sports center in the town of Vizcaya.
This prediction came true, as the Social Democratic SPD’s Steinmeier landed at Foronda (now Vitoria Airport) on Friday 28 November and received a prestigious reception at Agulia Enea, the Basque Country’s most important international visit, followed by a visit to Guernica, which included various stops and a memorial to the bombing victims. The German Presidency has already secured a date for the official agenda and confirmed the visit to Euskadi, although not all details have been revealed. After the morning event, several further social and cultural events are also planned in Bilbao.
Prime Minister Garmendia spoke about making amends for the bombing of Guernica in response to questions from journalists at an event to outline the country’s upcoming efforts to mark the 50th anniversary of dictator Franco’s death. One of these will be a mural on women and equality in the residential area of Salbrua, of which there will be a total of four in the capital, but will also be joined by an act recognizing the contribution of immigrants in Donostia and a short film competition in Biscaia, Portugalete. The delegate stressed the special relevance of communicating to young people the importance of democracy and social outcomes at a time when, as she noted, there is a “risk” of backsliding from the right and far right. These dates are related to “celebrating a pluralistic and diverse Spain that embraces different peoples,” Garmendia requested.
At the request of the media, government representatives also expressed their disfavor with the inclusion of the Catholic cross on Mount Ulgulu in the list of Francoist monuments and symbols pending removal, at the request of the city’s commemorative organizations. The bridge was completed in 1950 and was planned during the Civil War, but the City Council also defends it as a religious symbol, not a political symbol.
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