File of the cologne-school of reform of Burjasot (Valencia), 1937. Central Archive MITES, Higher Council for the Protection of Minors, 794/13 (OBVERSE)
In the midst of the Civil War, and with the front approaching Madrid, various institutions take initiatives to remove children from the dangers of the War as a particularly vulnerable group, including the Council for the Protection of Minors, which in the midst of the war effort organizes a network of colonies in Alicante, Castellón, Valencia and Catalonia to welcome minors under their guardianship, to which are soon added other children whose families want to preserve from the horrors of the War. In addition to pursuing their safety and providing their basic needs, the colonies will also try to continue their education and tutelary action.
This list includes the “Recreational and Scientific Obrites” sent to Burjasot by the Council: traditional Spanish tales, from Perrault, the Grimm, from Casona or from the One thousand and one nights along with others more recent and circumstantial such as The Soul of the Proletarian Child; Spanish classics since Count Lucanor until Hartzenbusch and Bécquer, without missing of course Cervantes, plus the successive generations of the Silver Age, abruptly interrupted by that War or the subsequent exile (the Flor Nueva, Baroja, Platero and I, Lorca…); adventure and western literature such as Julio Verne, Karl May or Rice-Burroghs, but also textbooks and scientific dissemination, some signed by first-line figures of his time, such as Ángel Cabrera or Miguel Catalán. The last title of the list is “Peace and War Button Popcorn”.
Children's readings. Shelters of comfort and instruction for difficult times. Seeds of hope for better times to come; for better men and women, yet to be made.