The associations Malmasingo Lagunak and Intxorta 1937, in collaboration with the Arrigorriaga City Council, have updated and expanded the list of residents forced into exile during the 1936 Civil War. The new document is available on the municipal website, aiming for citizens to continue contributing by completing data, correcting errors, or providing graphic material.
This initiative is part of the research work undertaken by the two groups dedicated to recovering historical memory. The goal is to create the most accurate and detailed list possible of minors who, during the civil conflict, had to flee abroad from Arrigorriaga, known as the 'War Children'. Since its public release three months ago, the study's results have seen a significant quantitative leap in recent weeks, starting with 126 names and now identifying 260 individuals.
The initial document has been notably expanded, covering both minors residing in central Arrigorriaga and Abusu, as well as refugee children from Gipuzkoa who found shelter in the municipality during the conflict.
Thanks to this effort, the exodus undertaken by many of these minors towards France, Belgium, Catalonia, or the Soviet Union (USSR) is being better documented. Despite these important advancements, 'citizen help remains fundamental,' insist Malmasingo Lagunak and Intxorta 1937. This assistance is crucial for disseminating the information and the initiative, encouraging the population of Arrigorriaga to 'become aware of this new list and search for names of people in their circle.' It also aids in correcting errors and adding details such as names, surnames, ages, and destination countries.
Another objective of the research is to locate testimonies from 'those 'children' who are still alive or their direct family members' and, finally, to collect materials like photographs, letters, objects, or documents 'which will be returned to their owners after being cataloged and copied'.
To allow interested parties to consult the available information, the City Council has made this updated and expanded list accessible to the public, downloadable in PDF format from the municipal website. All collected material and testimonies will have a significant impact, as on May 21, 2027, the Itsasmuseum in Bilbao will inaugurate a special exhibition featuring all this information and the project's outcomes.
