Report by Ms. Montserrat Catà, the City of Granollers, Spain
On the morning of 31 May 1938, during the Spanish Civil War, the City of Granollers was fiercely bombed. With the aim of raising awareness about these bombings as well as promoting dialogue on peace-related issues and advocating for conflict resolution, the City of Granollers organized a program of commemorative activities titled “Granollers, Vila Oberta per la Pau (Granollers, City Open to Peace)” from 12 May to 4 June.
The program included a wide range of activities: a school activity in which about 600 students from 9 to 10 years old learned about climate displacement; publication of a book presenting testimonies of the bombings; and a memorial event for the victims in which a survivor explained what had happened on this tragic day. These activities were complemented with an art exhibition, a conference about the culture of peace, film screening, guided visits to the city’s Civil War refugee sites as well as musical and theatrical performances.
The “Granollers, City Open to Peace” program served as a testament to Granollers’ commitment to promoting the culture of peace.
