On May 30th 1937 a ship called Ciudad de Barcelona was torpedoed by the submarine General Sanjurjo off the coast of Malgrat de Mar. It had sailed from Marseille and was carrying food and supplies to Barcelona, as well as approximately 200 International Brigade volunteers who had come to fight fascism and to support the Spanish Republic. Around 60 of them drowned when the ship went down. One of those drowned was Rob McDonald.
Being a Sunday, the local fishermen had not set off to work and so rowed out in their boats to save as many of the passengers and crew as possible. Some were able to swim ashore.
When an artist and sculptor of the same name heard the story, he vowed to create a monument in memory of the volunteers who drowned.
It is in the form of a ship and is located close to the beach at Malgrat, opposite where the Ciudad de Barcelona went down.
Rob McDonald will explain in more detail how the project came about and its place within the community of Malgrat and surrounding areas.
Another artist, Roc Blackblock, has painted a mural outside the station, which depicts the help given by the local townspeople.
There will be the opportunity to buy merchandise to support the Festival which is held every year around the anniversary of the ship being sunk. There is also a book entitled Les Aigues del Oblit – The Waters of Oblivion – written by a local historian Sònia Garangou. A translation of the book into English will be available in due course.
We will meet at the Hotel Sorra D’Or, which is just beside the train station for coffee and then along to the beach via the underpass.
Following Rob’s talk and the viewing of the mural outside the station there will be a walking tour of the old town of Malgrat, taking in some of the interesting buildings. There is also the chance to walk up to the castle, which served as a defence position during the Civil War. There is also a lift, if the steps are a bit too much.
Lunch will be at La Herradura, menú del día 19.50 euros, which includes one first course, one second course, a sweet or coffee.
Approx. 10 choices per first course and 15 choices per second course.
The menu also includes one slice of toast with tomato and garlic (optional), plus one drink: water, 375ml wine, gaseosa, a soft drink or a glass of Sangria. Other drinks or extras must be paid for individually.
Cancellation: If the event has to be cancelled for any reason you will receive an email & there will be a cancellation notice on the U3A website by 8 am on the morning of the event.
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