FUNDACIÓN VÍCTIMAS DEL TERRORISMO 96 - ENGLISH

EDUCATION AND COEXISTENCE 31 EXHIBITION AT THE NICOLÁS SALMERÓN After its stay at the Civil Guard Orphans’ Support Association, the exhibition 1986. Plaza de la República Dominica- na. 12 vidas, una herida permanente moved to the Nicolás Salmerón Cultural Centre in Madrid’s Chamartín district, where it was open to the public free of charge from 8 to 30 September. Organi- sed by Chamartín District Council, the Memorial Centre for the Victims of Te- rrorism, the Victims of Terrorism Foun- dation and the Community of Madrid, its main purpose is to preserve victims’ memory and explain to the public the context and consequences of decades of ETA terrorism. 8 to 30 September NICOLÁS SALMERÓN CULTURAL CENTRE, THE SECOND STOP The exhibition 1986. Plaza de la República Dominicana. 12 Lives, a Lasting Wound again brought together victims, institutional representatives and Civil Guard members in Madrid to defend remembrance, truth and the dignity of those who suffered ETA terrorism. It invites visitors to learn about one of the most serious attacks on the Civil Guard and reflect on the importance of preserving its democratic legacy. The opening brought together institu- tional representatives, victims of terro- rism and members of the security forces. One of the exhibition’s curators, Manuel Aguilar, spoke about the need to keep the memory of what happened alive so that new generations learn about a particular- ly painful period in Spain’s recent history and understand the human impact of te- rrorist violence. The President of the Victims of Terrorism Foundation, Juan Benito Valenciano, stres- sed that the exhibition arises from a shared commitment to “remembrance, truth and victims’ dignity”. In his view, the initiative was conceived to recall events, encourage understanding, pass them on to younger generations and reaffirm the democratic values terrorism sought to destroy. Valenciano also highlighted the exhibi- tion’s important educational dimension, echoing the curator’s reflections. He noted that it offers an opportunity to explore an essential part of Spain’s re- cent history through the testimony and experience of those who directly suffered terrorist violence. “Forty years later, we keep remembering because we know vic- tims must never be destined for oblivion,” he stated.