This edition of the conferences, taking place in Dénia, will highlight the diverse situations experienced by those forced to abandon their country. The theme is also linked to the figure of the writer from Dénia, Juan Chabás, a member of the Generation of '27, whose 125th birth anniversary was recently commemorated. Chabás died in exile in Cuba in 1954.
The Culture Councilor, Raúl García de la Reina, the municipal archivist, Rosa Seser, and the head of the Libraries area, Llúcia Signes, presented the program. García de la Reina emphasized that the Dénia City Council began democratic memory activities two decades ago, with an annual cultural program since 2018 to "not forget where we come from so as not to repeat mistakes".
The program will begin on Sunday, April 12, with the screening of the film La invasión de los bárbaros, directed by Vicent Monsonís, which explores Francoist repression and the looting of cultural heritage. From April 18 to May 26, the Juan Chabás public library will host the exhibition "En Resistencia. El exilio combatiente," by the Association for the Recovery of Historical Memory of Aragon (ARMHA), addressing the migratory movements of the Spanish Civil War and the participation of exiles in the French Resistance.
On April 29, historian Eladi Mainar will give the conference "La agonía de los republicanos en el norte de África" at the Juan Chabás library, discussing the experience of exiles in this region, including their arrival on ships like the Stanbrook from the port of Alicante and the harsh living conditions. On May 5, a tribute will be held at the municipal cemetery for the victims from Dénia of the Mauthausen concentration camp, followed by the presentation of the book Valencianos y valencianas contra el nazismo by researcher Adrián Mínguez, who will provide new data on 49 people from Dénia who fought against Nazism.
Dr. Irene Ballester, from the Universitat de València, will speak on May 7 about "Mujeres en resistencia: exilio, arte y memoria," highlighting figures such as the Valencian painter Manuela Ballester. The conferences also include activities for young people, such as the presentation of Jordi Tormo's book La darrera missió on May 13, with references to Dénia. Finally, on May 26, illustrator Manuel Granell will present the graphic novels ¡Jaca sublevada! and Casas Viejas, from the "Historia de España en viñetas" collection, which narrate key episodes of the Second Republic.
