Work by Pablo Picasso, “Guernica”, solidarity towards Palestine

Guernica Palestino” Decks Cuenca Campus on the Anniversary of the Bombing

On the Cuenca Campus of the University of Castilla-La Mancha, a renewed tribute to Pablo Picasso's iconic work, "Guernica", has been carried out in order to transmit a message of solidarity towards Palestine. Through this reinterpretation, the world-famous painting has been captured in the colors of the Palestinian flag. The mural was completed in time for April 26, the anniversary of the bombing of Guernica in 1937, perpetrated by Nazi and fascist aircraft, an event that originally inspired Picasso's work.

The artists Shole, Crispy and Sara have been the creators of this artistic project, which began to take shape last November after the incident in Sant Cugat del Vallès, where a similar mural was removed from a school due to allegations of promoting hatred. Motivated by the censorship of the work, these people from Cuenca came together to propose the idea to the university, managing to establish a collaborative project between the Fine Arts students and the local group "Cuenca with Palestine", which leads the displays of support for Palestine against to the situation with Israel.

The mural not only reflects a version of "Guernica" tinted with Palestinian tones, but also includes verses by the Palestinian poet Suheir Hammad. Her words, integrated into the work, express an energetic rejection of violence, an echo of resistance that aims to resonate louder than the drums of war.

Shole, speaking on behalf of the group, stresses that the purpose of this initiative is to give visibility to a conflict that, in her opinion, has not received adequate attention. The promoters link the violence portrayed in the original "Guernica" with the current situation in Palestine, which they describe as a genocide that is taking place under a veil of political and media manipulation.

Thus, the university not only becomes a space for academic learning, but also a setting where art serves as a powerful channel for political and social expression. This artistic action stands as a reminder of art's ability to challenge censorship and encourage reflection on relevant international events. The initiative shows how art can serve as a form of activism and social awareness.

In times where solidarity and the denunciation of injustices are vital, actions like this one on the Cuenca Campus demonstrate the transformative power of art and its ability to inspire important conversations about critical issues at a global level. Art, once again, becomes a tool for reflection and action in search of a more just and supportive world.

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