Podcast Summary:

Todo Concostrina - Acontece que no es poco | 30 octubre de 1910: En el nacimiento de Miguel Hernández
Host: Nieves Concostrina
Aired: October 29, 2024

Overview

This episode of "Acontece que no es poco" commemorates the 114th anniversary of the birth of renowned Spanish poet Miguel Hernández (October 30, 1910), blending historical narrative with sharp contemporary reflection. Nieves Concostrina focuses on Hernández’s legacy, ongoing legal and memorial controversies surrounding his name, and the recent historic annulment of his Francoist court sentences. The conversation mixes anecdotes, pointed critique of current political attitudes, and moving tributes to Hernández’s work.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Remembering Miguel Hernández (00:34 - 02:23)

• Annual Tradition: Nieves reiterates the importance of remembering Miguel Hernández every year, discussing the various facets of his life and posthumous treatment.
  • “Ni un año sin recordar a Miguel Hernández. Me da lo mismo por unas cosas o por otras.” (01:19, Nieves Concostrina)
• Discussed Past Episodes: Past coverage includes forced marriage under Franco, conflicts with García Lorca, Vicente Aleixandre's efforts to preserve his remains, and the destruction of memorial plaques in Madrid.

Notable Moment:

• Poem Recitation: A powerful reading of "Andaluces de Jaén" (02:23 - 03:12) sets the emotional tone, directly connecting Hernández’s poetry to the Spanish landscape and workers.

Present-Day Relevance & Judicial Annulling (03:19 - 08:30)

• Historical Justice: In October 2024, Spain’s Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory signed declarations annulling sentences for victims of political persecution, including Hernández.
  • “Esta nulidad del proceso a Miguel Hernández, por supuesto, se debatió en su pueblo…” (03:47, Nieves Concostrina)
• Local Political Hypocrisy: Orihuela's right-wing and far-right leadership criticized for voting against annulment of Hernández’s trial, attempting to dissociate him from republican and antifrancoist identity.
  • “El alcalde de Orihuela adora a Miguel Hernández... pero a Miguel Hernández yo creo que esto, si lo tuviera enfrente no sería capaz de decírselo a la cara.” (05:03, Nieves Concostrina)
• Ignorance in Public Life: Vox opposed the annulment in neighboring Elche unless similar action was taken for José Antonio Primo de Rivera and Federico García Lorca — the latter was not even tried, but murdered.
  • “¿Cómo que juzga a Lorca? A Lorca no le juzgaron. Lorca fue asesinada. No tuvo ni juicio ni tuvo nada.” (06:27, Carlos)

Memorable Interlude:

• Jesús Quintero’s Reflection: A classic audio clip laments modern pride in ignorance — “Nunca como ahora la gente había presumido de no haberse leído un puto libro en su jodida vida.” (07:17, Jesús Quintero)

The Francoist Trial & Its Mechanics (08:46 - 13:09)

• How Hernández Was Judged: Two Francoist military court cases against Hernández; both displayed a total lack of judicial guarantees and were driven by ideological motives.
  • “No exagero si digo que esos procesos tenían el mismo rigor jurídico… se utilizaban las mismas acusaciones fabricadas por motivos ideológicos…” (08:51, Nieves Concostrina)
• The Judge: Judge Manuel Martínez Gargallo, infamous for targeting intellectuals associated with the Republic.
  • Book Recommendation: "Nos vemos en Chicote" by Juan Antonio Ríos Carratalá is recommended for more on Judge Gargallo's actions.

Notable Case:

• Luis Medina: A prominent radio host who was condemned under similar terms for supporting the Republic.

The Real ‘Crime’: Writing and Democracy (10:31 - 13:09)

• Why Was He Prosecuted?
  • “¿Hernández en ese momento es juzgado solo por ser escritor?” (10:31, Carlos)
  • Charge: "Adhesión a la rebelión" (ironically, those accused of ‘rebellion’ were those supporting the Republic, the legal government).
    • “La ultraderecha era la golpista, pero acusaban de rebelión a los que defendían la legalidad.” (10:46, Nieves Concostrina)

Death by Francoism & Historical Narrative (13:09 - 15:10)

• Why His Death Sentence Was Commuted: International outrage after Lorca’s murder discouraged more propaganda blunders. Instead, they let Hernández die in prison from untreated tuberculosis.
  • “Miguel Hernández murió de franquismo… por eso se dice lo de que lo murieron.” (14:04, Nieves Concostrina; paraphrasing poet Marco Sana)
• Message to Today’s Politicians: Direct address to Orihuela’s mayor, urging empathy and authenticity in commemorating Hernández.

Closing Tribute:

• Miguel Hernández’s Verses: "Aunque bajo la tierra mi amante cuerpo esté, escríbeme a la tierra que yo te escribiré." (14:47, cited by Nieves Concostrina)
• Final notes segue into Joan Manuel Serrat’s musical adaptation of Hernández’s poetry, "Para la libertad."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On annual remembrance:
  • “Ni un año sin recordar a Miguel Hernández. Me da lo mismo por unas cosas o por otras.” (01:19, Nieves Concostrina)
• On ignorance and politics:
  • “Nunca como ahora la gente había presumido de no haberse leído un puto libro en su jodida vida.” (07:17, Jesús Quintero)
• On the Francoist prosecution:
  • “La ultraderecha era la golpista, pero acusaban de rebelión a los que defendían la legalidad.” (10:46, Nieves Concostrina)
• On Hernández’s death:
  • “Miguel Hernández murió de franquismo… por eso se dice lo de que lo murieron.” (14:04, Concostrina/Marco Sana)

Important Timestamps

• 00:34 – Opening exchange; significance of October 30th
• 02:23 – Poem "Andaluces de Jaén" recitation
• 03:19 – Discussion of annulment of Hernández's sentence, current political attitudes
• 05:14 – Voting records and hypocrisy in Orihuela/Elche
• 07:08 – Quintero’s reflection on ignorance
• 08:46 – Detailed breakdown of judicial processes against Hernández
• 10:38 – Explanation of formal charges: “adhesión a la rebelión”
• 13:12 – How Francoism handled "undesirable" intellectuals post-Lorca
• 14:47 – Quotation of Hernández’s poetry and closing thoughts

Tone and Style

Nieves Concostrina delivers a characteristically sharp, irreverent, and passionate account, blending didactic storytelling with biting critique of political hypocrisy, ignorance, and historical revisionism. Her emphasis is always on the necessity of remembrance with depth — not just ritual celebration, but honest confrontation with the inconvenient realities that shaped and ended Miguel Hernández’s life.

For listeners and non-listeners alike, this episode is a densely packed, moving tribute not only to a poet, but to the ongoing fight for historical clarity and justice in Spain.