Podcast Summary: Todo Concostrina – "Pánico en la ópera, atentado anarquista en el Liceo"

Host: Nieves Concostrina
Co-host: Carlas Francino
Date: November 7, 2023
Duration (relevant segment): approx. 00:15–16:02

Overview

In this episode of "Acontece que no es poco," with her signature wit and historical perspective, Nieves Concostrina dives into the infamous anarchist bombing at the Gran Teatro del Liceo in Barcelona on November 7, 1893. The discussion brings to life the climate of violence in late 19th-century Spain, the spread of anarchist ideologies, and the terror that shocked Barcelona's high society. Concostrina contextualizes the bombing within broader European anarchist movements, reflecting on its motivations, symbolism, and long-term effects.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Defining Terrorism and Setting the Scene

• The episode begins by referencing the dictionary definition of "terrorism," linking the concept to both historical and modern contexts.
  • Quote:
    Carlas (00:20): “Forma violenta de lucha política mediante la cual se persigue la destrucción del orden establecido o la creación de un clima de terror e inseguridad susceptible de intimidar a los adversarios o a la población en general.”
• The hosts position the Liceo attack as a prime historical example:
  • Nieves (01:06): “El 7 de noviembre de 1893, el anarquista Santiago Salvador lanzó una bomba desde el quinto piso, desde el gallinero al patio de butacas… Explotó contra el respaldo de la butaca 24 de la fila 13. 20 muertos y muchísimos, muchísimos heridos.”

Details of the Liceo Bombing (07/11/1893)

• The anarchist Santiago Salvador targeted Barcelona’s elite during a performance of Rossini’s "Guillermo Tell".
• Two bombs were thrown; only the first exploded, causing 20 deaths and dozens of injuries. The second bomb landed on a deceased woman’s skirt and failed to detonate.
• The "Orsini bombs", named after Italian revolutionary Felice Orsini, were notoriously used by anarchists and one is still preserved in Barcelona’s Museum of History.
  • Nieves (01:28): “Si alguien quiere ver cómo eran las bombas... en el Museo de Historia de Barcelona hay una igual a la que no explotó.”

Impact on Barcelona and Catalonia

• The attack was part of a larger wave: between 1892 and 1893, there were 21 anarchist attacks in Catalonia, with Barcelona and its environs absorbing the worst.
  • Nieves (04:33): “En Cataluña se registraron en 1892 y 1893 21 atentados en muy poco tiempo, sobre todo en Barcelona…”
• The psychological aftermath was severe for both the upper classes and workers, with widespread panic:
  • Nieves (05:03): “El pánico se apoderó de Barcelona… Los establecimientos de lujo, los restaurantes estupendos, los locales de espectáculos, la alta burguesía… se sintieron como potenciales víctimas de cualquier loco.”

The "Lone Wolf" (Lobos solitarios) Nature of Anarchist Attacks

• Anarchist attacks were typically carried out by individuals acting independently, making detection nearly impossible.
  • Carlas (05:58): “Eso que ahora llamamos lobos solitarios.”
  • Nieves (05:59): “Eran individuos extremistas… rechazaban toda negociación para conseguir objetivos sociales. Lo que se consiguiera tenía que ser ahí, a lo bestia, venga.”

Origin and Radicalization of Anarchism

Bakunin’s Influence

• Russian revolutionary Mikhail Bakunin promoted "propaganda by the deed," moving anarchist strategies from words to impactful actions.
  • Nieves (06:28): “Decía Bakunin… hay que propagar nuestros principios ya no mediante las palabras, sino mediante los hechos, porque esta es la forma de propaganda más popular, más poderosa y más irresistible.”

The Precedent: Ravachol in France

• François Ravachol (French anarchist) catalyzed the shift to violent acts, attacking judges and officials after a trial of anarchists.
• Ravachol’s actions and persona inspired the infamous anarchist song "La Ravachol."
  • Nieves (09:52): (Lyrics translated) “Todos los burgueses probarán la bomba… para todos estos sinvergüenzas hay dinamita. ¡Viva el sonido de la explosión!”
  • Performance of the song at [10:48] for historical flavor.

Impact in Spain

• Ravachol’s attacks in 1892 opened the door to violent "propaganda by the deed," influencing Spanish anarchists like Santiago Salvador.
• Interestingly, “propaganda by the deed” could also involve non-violent acts of defiance, such as refusing military service or religious ceremonies.
  • Nieves (09:22): “La propaganda por el hecho incluía también acciones pacíficas pero que dejaran clara la desobediencia…”

The Role of Dynamite

• The (then-new) invention of dynamite greatly empowered the anarchists’ actions and mythos.
  • Nieves (09:45): “No había nada que le gustara más a un anarquista que la dinamita. Se alababa su poder... hacían canciones a la dinamita.”

Repercussions and Broader European Context

Other Notable Attacks

• The attack on General Martínez Campos (September 24, 1893, Barcelona’s Merced Festival) and the later Corpus Christi bombing (targeting the Church) are discussed as part of a deliberate anarchist strategy to target State, Church, and the bourgeoisie.
  • Nieves (11:39): “El atentado contra Martínez Campos era una acción contra el Estado y los militares. El del Liceo contra la burguesía...”
• Case study of anarchists acting out of “impact” rather than ideology: Empress Sisi of Austria was assassinated by an anarchist who initially intended to target someone else.

The Nature and Legacy of Anarchist Terrorism

• The "lone wolf" methodology was intentional, to protect co-conspirators.
• Santiago Salvador acknowledged acting alone, seeking only to sow terror:
  • Nieves (14:25): “Durante el juicio declaró que actuó por su cuenta, que no pertenecía a ninguna secta y con el objetivo de aterrorizar a la burguesía. ‘Me era indiferente matar a unos u otros. Mi deseo consistía en sembrar el terror y el espanto.’”
• Most of the working class opposed such violence, striving for dignity via negotiation, not terror.
  • Nieves (14:40): “La inmensa mayoría de la clase obrera catalana rechazaba estos actos… sus reivindicaciones querían alcanzarlas mediante la negociación.”

Notable Anecdotes

• The unexploded Orsini bomb from the Liceo remains with the descendants of the judge who tried Salvador, a chilling historical souvenir.
  • Nieves (15:00): “La bomba Orsini que no explotó en el Liceo está en manos todavía de los descendientes de la familia del juez que juzgó al anarquista. Se la quedaron, esperemos que desactivada.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Nieves (01:06): “Explotó contra el respaldo de la butaca 24 de la fila 13. 20 muertos y muchísimos, muchísimos heridos.”
• Carlas (11:18): “Pero lo de la dinamita igual es un poco excesivo.”
• Nieves (14:25): “‘Me era indiferente matar a unos u otros. Mi deseo consistía en sembrar el terror y el espanto.’”
• Carlas (04:17): “Qué música. Nunca hubiera dicho que era música de atentado.”
  (on the juxtaposition of Rossini’s opera and the violence)

Inclusion of the anarchist song "La Ravachol" at [10:48] and [13:41] adds period atmosphere.

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:20 – Definition of terrorism and introduction to the Liceo bombing
• 01:06 – Description of the events on 7 November 1893 at the Liceo
• 02:18 – Explanation of Orsini bombs and their depiction in Sagrada Familia
• 04:33 – Context of anarchist violence in Barcelona and social tensions
• 05:58 – Introduction of "lone wolf" concept in anarchist actions
• 06:20 – Bakunin, "propaganda by the deed," and the radicalization of anarchist ideology
• 08:12 – Ravachol's story and the first propaganda by the deed
• 09:52 – Lyrics and performance excerpt from "La Ravachol"
• 11:39 – Other anarchist attacks and their specific targets
• 13:41 – More on the cultural context: another excerpt from "La Ravachol"
• 14:25 – Santiago Salvador’s trial statements and public reaction
• 15:00 – The fate of the unexploded bomb

Tone & Style

• The episode balances historical gravity with characteristic humor and irony, both in Concostrina’s delivery and in her exchanges with Francino.
• Language is direct, accessible, and peppered with colloquialisms to keep complex history engaging.
• Music and song clips are integrated for atmosphere and illustration, notably the anarchist hymn "La Ravachol".

Final Thoughts

This episode provides a compelling, richly contextualized account of the Liceo bombing and its place in the broader history of European anarchist violence. Concostrina’s narrative traces the chain of ideological, political, and social upheaval—anchoring the events in both local Barcelona history and the broader struggles shaping modern Europe.

Recommended for listeners curious about: Spanish history, European anarchism, political violence, and the cultural aftershocks of terror in society.