English-language blog curating tweets & articles about Spain's disputes over its past, from street names to unmarked graves. Tweets by @tomvvardle
Joined November 2017
- Tweets 1,623
- Following 831
- Followers 2,386
- Likes 205
171 Photos and videos
20 Nov 2025
'The families of Franco’s victims still seeking justice 50 years after his death
More than 114,000 civilians were killed and ‘thrown in the ground like dogs’ during Spain’s civil war and in the years that followed. Many are still there'- @danhancox
observer.co.uk/style/feature…
2
123
Spain's Memory Wars retweeted
20 Nov 2025
On the 50th anniversary of Franco's death, re-sharing this article @EoghanGilmartin and I wrote about Francoism and justice.
Sadly, Manuel passed away without ever seeing justice for his brother. Fausto, fortunately, was able to recover his father's body. tribunemag.co.uk/2021/08/mis…
3
6
380
18 Jul 2024
On this day in 1936, the Spanish Civil War begins on the mainland as the army revolt and generals attempt a coup d'état against the Spanish Second Republic.
Some remarkable photos compiled by EFE of the first days of the war: artsandculture.google.com/st…
2
21
51
3,823
18 Jul 2024
In 2022, the Spanish government introduced a national Democratic Memory Law to bring justice to Franco-era victims. This came after 2 decades of a social movement trying to recover bodies and achieve reparation of the defeated.
theguardian.com/world/2022/o…
1
2
283
18 Jul 2024
Meanwhile regional memory laws are being overturned by right-wing governments and replaced with 'harmony' laws. theguardian.com/world/articl…
226
21 Jun 2024
'Spanish government takes legal action to shut down Franco foundation
Governing socialists say FNFF fails to comply with legislation that forbids any attempt to glorify regime'
theguardian.com/world/articl…
1
12
18
976
Spain's Memory Wars retweeted
28 May 2024
First hunt in Spain for remains of Britons who fought against Franco in civil war. My latest for @Independent on the search for International Brigade fighters. Gracias @IBMT_SCW #SpanishCivilWar independent.co.uk/news/world…
2
30
76
3,729
Spain's Memory Wars retweeted
17 May 2024
📢 We are pleased to announce the international conference WEAVING MEMORY: public policies, mass graves and materialities ❗️
✏️ Provisional programme and registration now available ➡️ ja.cat/zANDt
📅 25-28 June 2024
📍Faculty of Geography and History @GH_UB
2
5
7
647
3 May 2024
'UN alarm over rightwing laws that could ‘whitewash’ Franco era in Spain
Three UN experts warn proposed ‘harmony laws’ may contravene international human rights standards.'
theguardian.com/world/articl…
23
21
1,773
Spain's Memory Wars retweeted
26 Apr 2024
At around 1630 today on 26 April 1937, the Nazi Condor Legion with never admitted support of General Franco began its murderous destruction of the Basque town of Gernika. This is a cutting from The Times of the famous article by George Steer denouncing the atrocity the next day
5
170
291
26,936
Spain's Memory Wars retweeted
26 Apr 2024
On this day 87 years ago, German and Italian planes bombed the northern Spanish town of Gernika at the behest of General Franco.
This is the story of the Picasso painting it inspired, the town’s football team and the painful process of memory since then.
theathletic.com/5438566/2024…
4
35
97
32,167
26 Apr 2024
On this day in 1937, the Basque town of Gernika was destroyed by the Nazi Condor Legion and Italian air force, immortalised by Picasso's Guernica.
Our thread on how Gernika has transformed itself into a 'City of Peace'. x.com/SpainMemoryWars/status…
26 Apr 2020
On this day in 1937, the Basque market town of Gernika was bombed in the most emblematic episode of the Spanish Civil War, immortalised by Picasso's Guernica. A thread below of how commemoration of the bombing has evolved since in the 83 years since 👇
1
12
13
1,364
26 Apr 2024
This anniversary, 87 years after the bombing, Gernika will be formally declared as a 'Place of Memory' by the Spanish government. eldiario.es/euskadi/gernika-…
4
135
9 Apr 2024
1
6
575
Spain's Memory Wars retweeted
31 Mar 2024
Right-wing parties 'whitewash' Spain's fascist past with law erasing Franco dictatorship. Castilla y León govt says no consensus on blame for civil war while threatening to impede exhumations and historical investigation on privacy grounds @Emilio_Silva_ telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2…
4
2
13
1,655
11 Mar 2024
'Spain's top court rejects bid to stop removal of medals awarded by dictator General Franco' theolivepress.es/spain-news/…
5
386
2 Mar 2024
'Family and lawyers 'frustrated' in fight for justice 50 years on from Puig Antich's death
Anarchist Salvador Puig Antich was executed in Barcelona's La Model prison by the Franco regime in 1974'
catalannews.com/society-scie…
1
6
431
19 Feb 2024
'Plans announced to officially remember 'La Desbandá' along N-340 Malaga to Almeria road' surinenglish.com/malaga/plan…
2
7
597
Spain's Memory Wars retweeted
31 Jan 2024
Exciting news, everyone! 📣 I'm thrilled to announce the release of the English version of "La Desbandá 1937," a role-playing game set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War. 🎲✨ #LaDesbanda1937 #ttrpg (1/8)
ALT Cover of La Desbandá 1937 ttrpg by Pablo López
2
7
21
4,001
8 Jan 2024
'‘It’s about being able to say goodbye’: Spanish graphic novel explores early Franco-era reprisals
The Abyss of Forgetting chronicles a woman’s struggle to find remains of her father who was murdered after civil war'
theguardian.com/world/2024/j…
16
50
2,444