90 years ago, a Galician island declared independence

Arousa islanders named their government in 1934. They had a tragic short life.

Brief. Unlikely. Tragic. The Federal Republic of Illa de Arousa lasted barely a breath. The decree was made on October 7, 1934, at a bar in the Rías Baixas. Within 24 hours, only a list on brown paper and a legal mess remained. Even though it was more brief than the Estat Català or the Galician Republic of 1931, it is difficult to define it accurately.

The tragic island republic ended like a bad hangover, but its protagonists suffered for years.

Sometimes fatal.

The Federal Republic of Illa de Arousa’s strange story can only be explained by its troubled context in the second two years of the Second Republic.

Its summary is straightforward.

On the afternoon of October 7, 1934, a group of Arousa politicians decided to create an independent federal republic in the heat of Spain’s 1934 political winds and the wine and herbal liqueur. Just like that.

They were so inspired that they made up a constituent government post distribution document. The Assault Guard found the famous paper the next day, causing a judicial mess that resulted in several of those involved being charged with sedition before a Court Martial.

The summary. The plot is more complicated.

October 1934 was tough for the Second Republic. The general revolutionary strike began on October 5, especially in Catalonia and Asturias, and Companys declared the temporary Catalan State a day later. Arousa, a small island in the Rías Baixas, was affected by national politics, prompting the local Socialist Party to strike on October 8th.

The local history blog Pandulleiros says the protest was against canning company working conditions.

Sunday 7th saw a meeting that led to an afternoon of debate at the Juanito de Luisa tavern, known locally as ‘O Nicho’. Between barrels of ribeiro, cups of wine, and bottles of agua ardent, the tavern keeper proposed: Why stay alone in the strike? What if the island declared itself the Federal Republic of Illa de Arousa?

It may seem strange, but the idea came from a specific context beyond the ‘O Nicho’ tavern or wine.

Pandulleiros recalls that islanders felt “grievance” and “abandonment” by institutions in addition to the revolutionary context. The island became a town again at the end of the 20th century after losing its status as an independent municipality in 1873 to the Consistory of Vilanova de Arousa.

The idea of establishing a Republic in A Illa de Arousa must have appealed to the parishioners in ‘O Nicho’, as they did more than just throw out ideas. They made a pencil list of provisional government formation.

On brown paper, they listed constituent government features. By positions. They have surnames and nicknames. It could be Santiago Otero Pouso, “Pajares.” Andrés Mougán, “Tormenta” will hold the Justice portfolio, while Manuel Iglesias will serve as Governor. Other positions include Finance and Culture.

90 years ago, a Galician island declared independence

Arousa islanders named their government in 1934. They had a tragic short life.

By ki0nk

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90 years ago, a Galician island declared independence

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