OCR
GUILLERMO MARÍN HIN aus] Vitoria, 30 November 1937. Source: Archivo Municipal de Vitoria-Gasteiz Parades to friendly nations, and strangers in the city The recognition of Franco’s government by Nazi Germany and fascist Italy led the local authorities to pay tribute to those who were considered by the New State as Twinned Nations (From the original Naciones Hermanas). Despite their great conspicuousness, we must take into account that these tributes were exceptional events in Vitoria. However, the press hugely publicised them. Especially relevant was the homage organised on November 25, 1936 in the capital of Alava!°. On this day of exaltation of the Nazi-fascist powers, the authorities, after haranguing the population from the balcony of the Town Hall in the Plaza de Espana square, moved to their podium in the Plaza del Arca square, where they witnessed the parade. Ihe act was closed with a fraternisation lunch in Fronton Vitoria, in which the swastikas decorated this space traditionally used by Basque people to socialise, creating a very curious setting". Next to them, the representatives of Germany and Italy, who found the main streets of the city decked out with the flags of the Friendly Nations. 1 Pensamiento Alavés, November 25, 1936. 1 On the frontón as a sporting and social space, and on the eskupilota (the sport that is played in the frontön) as a sport and as identity symbol that can characterise the Basque people, Olatz Gonzalez Abrisketa: Pelota vasca: un ritual, una estética, Bilbao, Muelle de Uribitarte, 2005. +06 +