Two new “Guernica” murals in the Americas, thanks to the Basque community

Today, we bring you a double report about murals being commissioned in Argentina of Picasso’s “Guernica”.

One, commissioned by the Basque Center of Arrecifes, was inaugurated on April 28 at 10:30, two days after the 86th anniversary of the attack.  The mural is located on the back wall of the Basque center, watching over the sapling of the Tree of Guernica that was planted in Arrecifes.

Similarly, the government of Viedma, alongside renowned artist Juan Marchesi, has put forward a work of art based on Picasso’s “Guernica” in the new Garden of Humanity Walk in Ferreira Park, respecting the original’s dimensions (7.76×3.49 m (137.4 in × 305.5 in)).  This is not a copy, however, as Marchesi has introduced elements of his own creation, such as his typical character, “The Snoop.”

The report from ADN Río Negro states that the Basque Center of Viedma and Patagonés will collaborate with talks, seminars, and workshops to bring the art and history of one of Picasso’s most emblematic works closer to the people.  We’re sure they’ll place close attention to the reasons why Picasso felt the need to paint this.

The media outlet also reports that this Basque association, alongside the Jewish community, has volunteered to help us preserve this space in our collective memory, as well as join in on the creation of the content that will feed into this work.

We’ve also brought you other articles about murals of this painting in other parts of the Americas which were commissioned by Basque centers such as those in Tres Arroyos, Argentina and in Florida, Uruguay.  We’re sure there are more, and we’ll bring them to you as soon as we find out about them.

For a stateless nation such as the Basque’s, the role of the community abroad, what’s called the “Basque diaspora” (especially if it is as important, active, and organized as ours), is essential for the transmission of who we are and what our history is to the rest of the world.

The reality of what happened at Guernica, which we’ve covered a great deal, is still subject to debate, despite the exhaustive work that has been carried out by historian Xabier Irujo.  Despite this, we still have to put up with others downplaying the damage and trying to “explain” the reasons that led the fascists to carry out this massacre.

That’s why these actions by the Basque community abroad are so necessary and important.

ADN Río Negro – 14/5/2023 -Argentina

Avanza el mural del “Guernica” en Viedma

El gobierno de Viedma junto al reconocido artista Juan Marchesi lleva adelante una obra basada en El Guernica de Pablo Picasso, respetando sus medidas originales (7.76×3.49 mts) en el nuevo paseo “Jardínes de la Humanidad”, ubicado en el Parque Ferreira.

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Uno Arrecifes – 19/4/2023 – Argentina

Inaugurarán el Mural de Guernica de Picasso en Arrecifes

El Centro Vasco de Arrecifes generó una más de sus acciones en busca de sostener su rica identidad y refrescar la memoria. La frase de que “un pueblo que no conoce su historia está condenado a repetirla”, encierra una gran sabiduría y los vascos arrecifeños la ponen en práctica reiteradamente.

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Last Updated on Dec 3, 2023 by About Basque Country