Decision in Spain: The Great Literary Struggle, 1936–1939

Contemporary History in Dialogue

On July 19, 1936, General Francisco Franco boards a plane bound for Tetuán to join an uprising against the Spanish Republic. Four days later, at the Wagner Festival in Bayreuth, Adolf Hitler receives a letter: Franco is asking him for military support for his coup. Another six days later, a German air unit in civilian clothing, operating under the code name “Operation Feuerzauber,” prepared for deployment. It was a time of momentous decisions in Europe—and also one of coincidences, betrayal, and tragic irony. Spontaneously, tens of thousands of volunteers from more than fifty countries decided to stand by Spain and defend the Republic against the fascist coup: artists, female reporters, intellectuals, and the persecuted; aid workers and nurses; idealists and adventurers—among them Ernest Hemingway, Robert Capa, George Orwell, Simone Weil, Willy Brandt, and many others.

Journalist and writer Paul Ingendaay, European correspondent for the arts section of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, recounts their struggles with weapons, pens, and cameras—a gripping story of courage and delusion, already cast in the shadow of World War II. Against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War, Paul Ingendaay brings to life the division that ran through families, villages, and nations—and that would define the front lines of the 20th century.

Paul Ingendaay’s presentation of the book will be followed by a commentary (TBA). The subsequent discussion will be moderated by Dierk Hoffmann (Institute for Contemporary History, Munich–Berlin).

Admission is free. Registrations will be accepted through the online form until November 30.

The event will subsequently be made available as a podcast for later listening.

In cooperation with the Institute for Contemporary History Munich–Berlin.Translated with DeepL

Price info: Admission is free.

Booking: Registrations will be accepted through the online form until November 30.

Next date:

• Date Tuesday, 01/December/2026 18:00
• Venue Forum Willy Brandt Berlin
• Address Behrenstraße 15, 10117 Berlin-Mitte