The Government of Spain commemorates in France the contribution of 'La Nueve' on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Paris from Nazism

The Minister for Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres, took part in the commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Paris, presided over by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, who remembered the Spanish Republicans of 'La Nueve' for their contribution to the liberation of the French capital in 1944 during the Second World War.

During the previous day, Minister Torres paid tribute to the Spaniards of 'La Nueve' together with the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and announced that the first place of Memory declared in Europe, outside Spain, will be for the 'Garden of La Nueve', next to the City Hall of the French capital.

'La Nueve' was part of the 2nd Armoured Division of the Free French, commanded by General Leclerc, and was composed mainly of Spanish Republicans, under the command of Captain Dronne. They were the first to enter Paris on 24 August 1944, escorting General de Gaulle, aboard the half-tracks 'Guadalajara', 'Madrid', 'Guernica', 'Brunete', 'Jarama', 'Ebro', 'Teruel', 'Belchite' and 'Don Quixote'.

"The example of 'La Nueve' should make our youth reflect on the precious value of democracy, a value that must be defended every day, especially in these times when we are witnessing outbreaks of neo-fascism and populism", said the minister, who considers these fighters to be true "democrats", who "with their anti-fascist commitment, laid the foundations of the Europe of freedoms that we enjoy today". "We owe them what we are," he added at the tribute.

In his speech, Torres highlighted that the 'Garden of La Nueve' in the French capital has been declared a Place of Memory, and that the plaque that will recognise it will be placed shortly. In addition, the Minister presented Mayor Hidalgo with a Commemorative Coin, minted by the Government of Spain, to pay tribute to the fighters of 'La Nueve'.

A major exhibition in Madrid

The minister, who defined the contribution of Spanish exiles in France and Mexico as of "incalculable value", was accompanied at the event by the Spanish Ambassador to France, Victorio Redondo; the Secretary of State for Democratic Memory, Fernando Martínez, and the Director General for Victim Support and the Promotion of Democratic Memory, Zoraida Hijosa, where he described the different milestones that demonstrate the Government of Spain's commitment to Democratic Memory, both with the exhumation plan, the declaration of Francoist courts and war councils as illegal, and the inclusion of the study of exile in educational programmes.

He also indicated that, at the end of this year, a large exhibition on 'La Nueve' will be on display in Madrid. "The Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory wants the Spanish public to know what 'La Nueve' was, what its entry into Paris was like and, in short, its commitment and its role in the fight against fascism during the Second World War," revealed Ángel Víctor Torres.

Non official translation