On 21 February 2026, commemorative and tribute events will take place in Perpignan and Saint-Cyprien (Roussillon) in memory of the Republican refugees who died in exile following the end of the Spanish Civil War.
The year 2026 marks the fifth anniversary of the first annual ceremony honoring the refugees buried at the West Cemetery of Perpignan (1939–1942), an initiative promoted by historians Jordi Oliva, Martí Picas i Sala, and Noemí Ruidor. Since its inception, EUROM has supported and disseminated this initiative, contributing to the preservation of memory and the call for the dignification of this historically neglected site.
This year, the commemorations also extend to the old cemetery of Saint-Cyprien, paying tribute to the refugees who died at the Saint-Cyprien internment camp (1939–1941) and were reburied there in 1977, following their transfer from a mass grave located on the former camp grounds.
Perpignan: Dignity and Memory
In this context, during the 2025 commemorative events, the project “Perpignan: Dignity and Memory” was presented. The initiative, promoted by EUROM within the framework of the project Uncomfortable Heritage, highlights the urgent need for public memory policies that recognize the history of Republican exile.
Background information
The mass grave at the West Cemetery of Perpignan is a historically forgotten and neglected site containing the remains of 841 individuals—victims of forced exile, internment camps, and the Republican retreat following the end of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939).
Thanks to historical research carried out by Jordi Oliva, Martí Picas i Sala, and Noemí Ruidor, in collaboration with citizen organizations in Roussillon, the identities of those buried have been progressively recovered. This work has sparked a civic and academic movement to transform the site into a place of dignity and remembrance. At present, the mass grave remains in deplorable condition, lacking any signage or elements explaining its historical significance.
Related Project
Uncomfortable Heritage, Dissonant Memories | The West Cemetery Memorial of Perpignan