An intergenerational discussion on the 1972 general strike in Vigo was held on 8 October at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Vigo. Esther Carrodeguas, director of the project 'Barrios en Lucha: 1972', emphasised that when the project began, the general strike of 11 November was not yet a topic of discussion. This initiative, produced by Teatro del Barrio, aims to explore the events surrounding the general strike through a theatrical lens.
Carrodeguas and Xavier Castiñeira from Compañía ButacaZero, along with a team of professionals from the performing arts, are leading this multidisciplinary project. The General Secretariat of the CCOO (Comisiones Obreras) in Vigo and the Fundación 10 de Marzo, associated with CCOO, participated in the event, which is part of the broader 1972 project.
The project comprises three key activities: the intergenerational discussion (8 October 2023), a tour of significant locations related to the 1972 Vigo strike (11 October 2023), and a presentation of a showcase of the project’s work, scheduled for 12 and 13 November at Sala Ártika in Vigo, which is collaborating on the initiative.
Veteran unionists from CCOO and anti-Franco activists participated in the discussion, including Higinio Leirós, Carlos Núñez, Juan Benavides, and Arturo Correa. Emilio Crespo from Fundación 10 de Marzo, who participated in the protests as a student, was also present. They shared their experiences of the intense and prolonged strike that brought the city of Vigo to a standstill, highlighting the harsh realities faced by many families due to widespread layoffs.
The speakers recalled the police repression during the strike, as well as the solidarity shown by citizens, stressing the importance of memory and remembrance. They underscored the necessity of organisation and the defence of labour, social, and political achievements, which are never guaranteed: democracy was won in the streets and must be defended there.
Following the testimonies of the veterans, the floor was opened to the youth present, including high school students with whom Esther Carrodeguas has been working for weeks. They expressed a keen interest in learning about the clandestine struggle, the significance of communication, and the personal repercussions of the conflict. Juan Benavides concluded the event by reciting the poem 'Un duro al año' by Eusebio Blasco.
