Written by: Emily Carter

Buenaventura Durruti: The Anarchist Icon of the Spanish Revolution

Buenaventura Durruti, a Spanish insurrectionary and anarchosyndicalist militant, left an indelible mark on the Spanish Civil War and the anarchist movement. He is revered as a hero for his influential role in the Spanish Revolution of 1936, and his legacy continues to inspire and motivate people to this day.

Early Life and Activism

Born on July 14, 1896, in León, Spain, Durruti was the second of eight children to Anastasia Dumange and Santiago Durruti. He began his education at the tender age of five and showed a keen interest in mechanics from a young age.

• In 1910, at the age of 14, Durruti left school to become a trainee mechanic in the railway yard in León.
• Four years later, he took up a job at Matallana de Torio, where he became involved with the socialist Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT).
• In 1917, Durruti participated in the strike called by the UGT, which was brutally suppressed by the government, resulting in the deaths of 70 people and the imprisonment of 2,000 workers without trial.

This event had a profound impact on Durruti, and he was forced to flee to France, where he came into contact with exiled anarchists. During his time in Paris, Durruti worked as a mechanic and began to develop his anarchist ideology.

Rise to Prominence

In 1920, Durruti returned to Spain and joined local anarchists in San Sebastián, Basque Country. Together, they formed the anarchist paramilitary group Los Justicieros (The Avengers), with the goal of overthrowing the monarchy and establishing an anarchist society.

• In 1921, Durruti and his group attempted to assassinate King Alfonso XIII during the inauguration of the Great Kursaal in San Sebastián.
• This failed attempt led to Durruti's exile in Latin America, where he continued to involve himself in anarchist activities and wrote for various anarchist publications.

The Spanish Civil War and the CNT-FAI

Upon his return to Spain in 1931, Durruti became heavily involved with the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT) and the Federación Anarquista Ibérica (FAI). He played a crucial role in the organization of the CNT-FAI militias during the Spanish Civil War.

Durruti's leadership and charisma earned him great respect among his comrades, and he became known for his bravery and tactical prowess on the battlefield.

Legacy and Assassination

On November 20, 1936, Durruti was fatally wounded during the Siege of Madrid and died the following day. His death was a devastating blow to the anarchist movement, but his legacy continued to inspire and motivate people to fight for the cause.

Today, Buenaventura Durruti is remembered as a hero and an icon of the anarchist movement. His bravery, conviction, and unwavering commitment to the cause of anarchism continue to inspire people around the world.

Quotes and Memorable Sayings

"We have always lived in slums and holes in the wall. We will know how to accommodate ourselves for a while. For, you must not forget, we can also build. It is we who built these palaces and cities, here in Spain and in America and everywhere. We, the workers. We can build again, and better. We will be able to go very fast in that task when we take possession of the machinery, and the factories, and the land."

This quote, spoken by Durruti during the Spanish Revolution, encapsulates the spirit of anarchism and the desire for a more equal and just society.