Miguel de Unamuno: Reflections on intellectual courage in 1936

Reflecting on the 90th anniversary of a pivotal historical moment, these accounts examine the intellectual courage of Miguel de Unamuno during the Spanish Civil War. On October 12, 1936, Unamuno was tasked with representing the Head of State at celebrations in the University of Salamanca.

Following a period of realizing the error of his initial support for the coup, Unamuno chose to confront the prevailing fascist repression through reasoned argument. The texts draw parallels between the intransigence of leaders in 1936 and the perceived dangers of modern global leadership, noting how contemporary misinformation and authoritarian tendencies echo historical patterns of dehumanization and the erosion of social institutions.