The Spanish Civil War in the British Memory

The Spanish Civil War left a profound impression on the United Kingdom, including Manchester. The large number of memorials, associations, events, and publications at the time show that many British citizens were deeply engaged with the events in Spain.

Our library has a special collection devoted to the Spanish Civil War, including written testimonies by British citizens who were active in the conflict in various ways: fighting on the front, as war correspondents, providing medical aid, hosting child refugees, and organising campaigns of solidarity with the Spanish people.

The exhibition features works by authors such as George Orwell, Arthur Koestler, Fred Copeman, Peter Kemp, Priscilla Scott-Ellis, Kate Mangan, Bob Cooney, Thomas Wintringham, John M. Muste, John Langdon-Davies, Jason Gurney, Walter Gregory and Bob Clark.

We invite you to immerse yourselves in this heritage of living memory, through the words of those who lived through it, and obtain an understanding of the repercussions of the Spanish Civil War on British society.