Memory and transition in Spain. Exhumations and tributes to executed Republicans

Abstract

This article focuses on the first cycle of exhumations of Republicans executed by Francoists during the Civil War and the post-war period, and buried in non-identified common graves. During this cycle, which started during the transition to democracy and lasted until the late 90s, no scientific protocol was implemented; relatives and friends undertook the task of unearthing and reburying the remains. Reburials usually implied ceremonies paying tribute to the victims and were normally preceded by religious ceremonies. In many of these localities, besides eliminating the old symbols of the dictatorship, new lieux de mémoire were created, particularly mausoleums with inscriptions honoring the victims of Francoism. In this article I compare the unearthing and reburying experiences that took place in Extremadura, Navarra and La Rioja. From a local perspective, the main findings of this research raise some questions about the characterization of the Spanish transition as a period of silence and oblivion that we should reflect upon.