Pablo cannot witness the entry of Franco’s troops into Madrid. His father sends him to Russia and there he begins a new life, not necessarily better than the one he had in the besieged capital during the winter of 1938. ‘The Boy Who Lost the War’ is Julia Navarro’s last book. “The little ones always lose their parents’ arguments,” he complains. “They are always the first victims.” The writer will speak in a new meeting of the EL CORREO Hall which will take place today, starting at 7pm, at the Bidebarrieta Library in Bilbao. The event takes advantage of the collaboration of the Plaza Janés publishing house and BBK. The author will repeat the speech tomorrow in the Ignacio Aldecoa House of Culture in Vitoria at 6.00 pm.
Children are, in his opinion, victims of conflicts. ”They shake my soul when I see them on television, trapped in conflicts that are often neither close nor familiar, full of pain and misunderstandings.” Both Pablo’s biological and adoptive mother suffer the vicissitudes of time. “The first is one of the reprisals of Franco and Ania’s father, the second is a revolutionary who sees how the trial devours his daughter”, he emphasizes and recognizes that the society of his time was structured around men who possessed political, economic and family.
The narrative begins in the 1930s and extends into the following decades, not only in Spain, but also in the Soviet Union. “I’m talking about a person forced by circumstances to live under a dictatorship,” he says. These are two stories that run in parallel between the two countries and that highlight life under inflexible regimes. “These are totalitarian ideologies that dominated in the 20th century and which manifest themselves in different ways today.”
The author is in favor of knowing our past to understand what is happening today and decide what future we want to build. “All dictatorships are similar, they all limit the freedom of citizens and censor every cultural manifestation that they cannot control,” he says.
Today’s autocratic governments are different. «They pretend to be states of law until they show themselves as regimes of order and command. Really, how many democracies are there? We must know the past but unfortunately this does not mean that mistakes are not made because the forms and language change, even if the result is the same.
Not even access to education immunizes us from despotism. “The fact that the majority of the population goes to school is no guarantee of possessing the culture necessary to have independent thought”, he warns and points to the disappearance of the humanistic disciplines as one of the causes. «The study of Latin and Greek also implied access to a way of thinking and the history of art helps us interpret ourselves. It’s good that we know a lot about new technologies, but there are also other tools that help us create criteria.
Bloggers and “influencers” have removed the influence of intellectuals on readers, a situation that appears dangerous because it favors demagogic practices. “It is the result of a lack of knowledge on the part of adolescents, who are helpless in the face of the lack of basis for their own knowledge,” he argues. “All education ministers have been a disaster,” he argues.
he is not particularly pessimistic about the future. “I understand that young people have to fight their own battle and shake off the inertia of getting carried away by the obvious,” he says. “Every generation finds ways to do things and some will do them better than us.”
How does Julia Navarro connect historical narratives of dictatorship to current political issues?
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome, everyone. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Julia Navarro, renowned author and expert on historical narratives, especially concerning the themes of dictatorship and human suffering. Julia, thank you for joining us today.
Julia Navarro: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss my work and the themes that drive it.
Interviewer: Your latest book, The Boy Who Lost the War, tells the story of Pablo, a boy displaced by the Spanish Civil War, forced to leave Madrid as Franco’s troops advance. Can you tell us more about what inspired you to write this narrative?
Julia Navarro: Absolutely. The inspiration came from the realization that children are often the first and most vulnerable victims in wars. Pablo’s journey was shaped by the chaos around him and the choices made by adults, which he, as a child, had no control over. His story reflects the universal truth that in conflicts, it’s often the little ones who bear the burden of their parents’ disagreements.
Interviewer: That’s a poignant observation. You highlight the effects of dictatorship on both personal and societal levels—could you elaborate on this parallel between Spain and the Soviet Union that you explore in your book?
Julia Navarro: Certainly. The narrative not only spans the civil war in Spain but also extends into the Soviet Union, showcasing how individuals are often forced to navigate life under oppressive regimes. Both Pablo and Ania—characters from different backgrounds—experience first-hand the consequences of totalitarianism. They represent generations that were shaped by rigid, unyielding political ideologies, and their stories allow readers to reflect on how these regimes impact lives across different cultures and times.
Interviewer: You mention that “all dictatorships are similar” in that they restrict citizen freedom and censor culture. In your opinion, how does understanding our historical past prepare us for today’s political climate?
Julia Navarro: Knowing our history is crucial. It helps us recognize patterns of behavior in today’s autocratic governments, which often echo those from the past. By understanding how power can manipulate and suppress, we hold ourselves accountable to fight against such narratives in our own societies. It’s a call to vigilance—and action—to ensure that freedoms are protected and that the lessons of history are not forgotten.
Interviewer: Recent global events present challenges to democratic values in various parts of the world. How do you believe literature can play a role in addressing these challenges and shaping public discourse?
Julia Navarro: Literature has always been a form of resistance and a means of raising awareness. Through storytelling, we can humanize the statistics and headlines we see every day. Books can ignite conversations, inspire empathy, and empower readers to advocate for change. I believe that engaging with stories like Pablo’s helps people understand the real human experiences behind abstract political ideas, prompting them to reflect on their own roles within society.
Interviewer: This brings us to the event you’re hosting today at the Bidebarrieta Library in Bilbao. What can attendees expect from your discussion?
Julia Navarro: Today, I hope to delve deeper into the themes of The Boy Who Lost the War, discuss the resilience of children in the face of conflict, and explore how literature can serve as a powerful tool for reflection and understanding. I want attendees to leave with a sense of the importance of their voices in shaping the narrative of history and the fight for freedom.
Interviewer: That sounds incredibly inspiring. Thank you, Julia, for sharing your insights with us today. We look forward to your discussions and the powerful message you continue to convey through your work.
Julia Navarro: Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts. I hope to see many of you at the events. Let’s build a future informed by our past.