Podcast Summary: “Acontece que no es poco | Primera de las tres conferencias de Unamuno que le llevaron al destierro”

Main Theme & Purpose

In this episode of Acontece que no es poco, Nieves Concostrina delves into the historical moment when Miguel de Unamuno, renowned Spanish philosopher and writer, delivered the first of three controversial conferences in Bilbao in January 1924. These speeches fiercely criticized both King Alfonso XIII and the dictator Miguel Primo de Rivera, ultimately leading to Unamuno’s exile. The episode explores the content, context, and repercussions of Unamuno’s speeches—shedding light on the interplay between monarchy, dictatorship, liberalism, and dissent in early 20th-century Spain.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Unamuno, Reyes y Dictadores: Un Enlace Inevitable

• The episode opens with Concostrina connecting the date of January 5 to King’s Day (Día de Reyes) in Spain, but using the occasion to reference both contemporary and historical royalty—most notably, King Juan Carlos I and his ancestor, King Alfonso XIII.
  • “Tenemos que hablar de Reyes… no de los magos… hoy cumple 85 el comisionista empadronado en su paraíso de Abu Dhabi.” [00:57]
• Nieves draws a satirical parallel between Spanish tradition of kings and their longstanding “collegiality” with dictators—hinting at the persistent corruption and collusion between royal and authoritarian powers.

2. Las Tres Conferencias de Unamuno en Bilbao

• On January 5, 1924, Unamuno gave the first of three lectures about liberalism in Bilbao, targeting both the monarchy and dictatorship.
• The three conferences were held at different venues (Sociedad El Sitio, Círculo Socialista, Casino Republicano) due to local organizational disputes, not because of Unamuno’s preferences.
  • “No sé por qué leches me vais a hacer hablar de lo mismo en la misma ciudad y tan seguido, pudiéndolo hacer en un solo día y en un solo sitio.” [04:37]

3. El Liberalismo Bajo la Lupa de Unamuno

• During the first conference, Unamuno gives a historical overview of political liberalism, specifically tying politics and history together:
  • “La política es historia y la historia tampoco es más que política. Puede decirse que en la historia lo que una u otra forma no es política, es arqueología, es algo muerto. La historia viva… es el esfuerzo constante del pasado por hacerse porvenir de la tradición.” [06:12]
• The critical moment arrives when Unamuno denounces the contradictions of the Bourbon monarchy’s restoration:
  • “Vino lo que se llamó la Restauración y poco después esa constitución híbrida de 1876, llena de contradicciones íntimas... Es una obra maestra de logomaquia.” [07:04]
• Concostrina helpfully defines "logomaquia" as empty wordplay that avoids the real issues—a term applied by Unamuno to the monarchy’s constitutional ambiguity.
  • “Un rey y una constitución son agua y aceite. Un humano que está en la jefatura del Estado sólo por derecho de nacimiento. Eso es lo más antidemocrático y lo más anticonstitucional que hay.” [07:40]

4. Reacción del Régimen y el Inicio del Destierro

• Trouble for Unamuno starts immediately after the first conference: the military authorities, under Primo de Rivera, summon him and the event organizer for a warning, particularly regarding his future lectures.
  • “Nada más terminar... el capitán general… ordenó a Unamuno y al que lo convocó, que se personaran ante él inmediatamente.” [09:14]
• Unamuno responds dismissively, refusing to be censored. His following two lectures are also partly censored when published.
• Concostrina contextualizes the regime’s response by highlighting the broader pattern of repression and propaganda. She compares Primo de Rivera’s media manipulation and use of fake news against Santiago Alba (a leftist minister), and draws modern parallels.
  • “Es que son clavadas... Todo el mundo tenemos ahora mismo en la cabeza lo que ocurrió con Pablo Iglesias. Te cebas y sueltas de todo. Eso de recoger una noticia falsa sabiendo que es falsa... pues eso ya lo inventó Primo de Rivera con sus periodistas a sueldo.” [11:30]

5. La Valentía de Unamuno y la Represión Dictatorial

• Unamuno, who despite being ideologically right-wing, defends the leftist Santiago Alba in his published columns and publicly decries the fabrications against him.
  • “Unamuno sobre todo era de derechas, pero era un tipo bastante honesto.” [12:14]
  • “Tenía una columna… que se llamaba ‘Las enfermedades del patriotismo.’” [12:55]
• This integrity and willingness to speak out make Unamuno a target for the regime, culminating in his forced exile to Fuerteventura and dismissal from university posts.
  • “Aquel artículo, sumado a las tres conferencias de Bilbao, provocó que una real orden del playboy perjuro de Alfonso XIII... enviara al destierro a Fuerteventura a Unamuno.” [13:18]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the monarchy-dictatorship nexus:
  “Es tradición en este país el colegueo entre dictadores y reyes.” — Nieves Concostrina [01:18]

• On the meaninglessness of the constitutional monarchy:
  “Un rey y una constitución son agua y aceite… Eso es lo más antidemocrático y lo más anticonstitucional que hay. Hombre, vete a la mierda, hombre.” — Nieves Concostrina paraphrasing Unamuno [07:40]

• On media manipulation (then and now):
  “Es que son clavadas, o sea, todo el mundo tenemos ahora mismo en la cabeza lo que ocurrió con Pablo Iglesias… Eso ya lo inventó Primo de Rivera con sus periodistas a sueldo.” [11:30]

• On dictatorial justice and exile:
  “Las dictaduras condenan sin juicio. … Como dijo alguien en 1924: ‘tenemos el presentimiento de que Primo de Rivera será el último gobernante de la infamante monarquía española. Todas las cosas caen por el lado que se inclina.’” — Nieves Concostrina [13:18]

• Anecdotal image:
  “Hay una imagen… graciosísima de Unamuno subido en un camello… cayéndose por el culo.” [13:18]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:57] — Connecting modern and historical “Reyes”; critique of corruption.
• [01:18] — The deep tradition of cooperation between kings and dictators.
• [04:37] — Why Unamuno repeated his conferences.
• [06:12] — The historical centrality of politics; Unamuno defines the relationship between politics and history.
• [07:04] — Critique of the contradictory constitutional monarchy.
• [09:14] — Immediate repression following the first conference.
• [11:30] — Detailed parallel between Primo de Rivera’s media manipulation and modern political tactics.
• [13:18] — Unamuno’s exile and its meaning; the image of Unamuno on a camel; closing reflection on the fall of dictatorships.

Tone & Style

The episode balances historical analysis and sharp social commentary, delivered in Concostrina’s signature blend of wit, irreverence, and clarity. She playfully mocks both past and present figures of power, making poignant connections between history and current events, always in accessible, plain language.

In Summary

This episode offers a vivid, critical, and entertaining retelling of the episode in Spanish history when Miguel de Unamuno’s integrity and daring speech led to his political exile. Through Nieves Concostrina’s engaging storytelling, listeners gain a nuanced view of the dangerous liaisons between kings and dictators, the perils of dissent, and the perennial relevance of confronting fake news and authoritarianism—then and now.