Poems and Songs from the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939)

“Es hat die Besten der Welt bewegt ...”, Gedichte und Lieder aus dem Spanischen Bürgerkrieg (1936–1939) [“It moved the best in the world…”, Poems and Songs from the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939)]

Women and men from around the world flocked to Spain seventy years ago to help the Republic in the battle against Fascism.
 We use Flamenco guitar, song and audio installations to celebrate a sound collage in memory of their exemplary civil courage and international solidarity, their fates, their texts and songs.
 It promises to be an evening of high intensity and a few surprises!

Listen to "En la plaza de mi pueblo" from the programme (mp3)

Letter from a man who attended the event in Frankfurt an der Oder

To the editor of the Regional Centre for Migration, Youth Work and School, Brandenburg (RAA Brandenburg)



Remembering experiences of international solidarity

On 1 November 2007, I took part in an event organised by the Education and Science Union’s Seniors Expert Group in Frankfurt (Oder). Dr Constanze Jaiser and Jacob David Pampuch arranged two spectacular hours of reminiscence on the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939, entitled “It moved the best in the world”. They read poems, songs and prose texts which, with great emotional impact, conveyed the battle by the International Brigades to support the Second Spanish Republic in its confrontation with the Franco-Regime.

Dr Constanze Jaiser and Dr David Pampuch made us aware of the uniqueness of this international solidarity between fighters from 54 countries. For me, the hope remains that a readiness to act in solidarity can be preserved and grow, even in a time of worldwide globalisation –clearly also of concern to Dr Constanze Jaiser and Dr David Pampuch.

Many thanks to the leadership of the ESU Seniors Expert Group Frankfurt (Oder) for organising such a high quality event, made a complete success by the performers’ genuine dedication. (Wolfgang Schmidt)