Vademecum

INtRoduCCIóN
16
Dentro del apartado de lugares de memoria (capítulo 5), se presenta solo lo más significativo
o elaborado (por ejemplo, museos o itinerarios completos), obviando las numerosas placas
y las esculturas conmemorativas. Igualmente inabarcables son los recursos virtuales
relacionados con la Guerra Civil y el franquismo (capítulo 6). Sin duda, internet y las
nuevas tecnologías sirven de lugar conmemorativo e intentan compensar la ausencia en
los espacios públicos. Dadas la multitud de estas iniciativas y las diferencias de rigor
histórico en muchas de ellas, el Vademécum contempla aquellas páginas web respaldadas
por entidades oficiales públicas y académicas, entre las que se comprenden bases de
datos de desaparecidos y víctimas o mapas de fosas comunes.
El Vademécum compila una parte de las iniciativas surgidas alrededor de la memoria
histórica, a la vez que refleja la evolución social en este tema en los últimos años. Su
elaboración, sin embargo, no habría sido posible sin el entusiasmo y la colaboración de
numerosas instituciones y personas, a quienes va dirigido mi más sincero agradecimiento.
ForEWorD
in the wake of the various dictatorial regimes in the 20 th century, many European countries have
initiated a reappraisal process of their historical past in an attempt to face their different and
complicated experiences. However, the necessity of a critical reflection on the past should
not be valued only from a national perspective, but also from the perspective of European
commonwealth because an insight into the errors of the past can help construct a better future.
Several years ago, with the impulse of citizens’ movements, Spain has also started the path
of the so-called recovery of memory.
Following Francisco Franco’s death in 1975, the political transition process started in Spain.
one landmark was the passage of amnesty laws 14 , celebrated as a starting point for national
reconciliation and the reconstruction of democratic coexistence. the amnesty included all acts
of political intentionality, but also crimes of sedition and rebelliousness, as well as excesses
and abuses of civil servants and law enforcement agents. in this spirit of reconciliation and
mutual forgiveness not only those who served sentences or other sanctions for having fought
the Franco regime were rehabilitated, but also regime members were exonerated from criminal
responsibilities. other benefits were provided, which turned out to be insufficient in practice:
for instance, sanctioned civil servants were reinstated to their posts and seniority, but not
the in the case of the military.
the amnesty laws undoubtedly reflected a will to build up a democratic society without conflicts
or confrontations, as Spaniards were ready to forgive and leave their afflicted past behind.
this readiness to forgive was understood as recognition of responsibility from both sides in
the Civil War; nonetheless, it did not mean a full rehabilitation or reparation 15 .
14 royal Decree-law 10/1976 of 30 th of June on amnesty (official State Gazette of August 4 th , 1976), and law 46/1977
of 15 th of october of amnesty (official State Gazette of october 17 th , 1977).