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15-M: A Less Epic Reality



A less epic reality

Gustavo Tambascio

(Part of a series entitled 15-M: The intellectuals' opinion)

Gustavo Tambascio, La Razon (Spain) May 15 2012

The 15-M, “the Spanish revolution”, is viewed from outside as the long-awaited re-emergence of the revolutionary Spain of 1931-39, when intellectuals and militants from around the world came to fight and die here. The reality is less epic, since the movement is still embryonic and its slogans vague. But it could be the start of an awakening that shakes the apoliticism and drowsiness out of the masses, which is a product of the paralysis of the trade unions and the alignment of social democracy with international banking. They are the hope of the future and even in their scattered ideology they have correctly identified the enemy: Banking, capitalism, the bourgeois parties, the right and the monarchy.

Gustavo Tambascio
Theatre director


Translated from Spanish by James Tweedie

Editor's note: The 15-M movement, or Los indignados (the indignant ones) is a movement that began with a sit-in protest in Puerta del Sol (Gate of the Sun, an important square in the centre of Madrid) on May 15 2011. It is ostensibly inspired by the Arab Spring and in turn inspire the Occupy movement in Britain, the USA, Canada and elsewhere.

Gustavo Tambascio is an Argentinian theatre director living and working in Madrid. In the days since this statement was published, he has seemingly come under pressure and has tried to distance himself from it publicly.

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