LAS TRECE ROSAS
friday 14th feb 2025
Every Friday we are introducing our research that’s based on historic - present time, fictional - real, mythological and movie characters who represent FLINTAs (female, lesbian, intersex, nonbinary, trans and a-gender), all throughout space and time. This Friday we dove into something that was one of the building blocks to the story of CRYSIS.
The Thirteen Roses were part of a larger group of young women from the Unified Socialist Youth (JSU), a socialist and communist organization created in 1936 in Madrid as a response to the popular uprising following the military coup. The JSU was a movement of young people, both men and women, united in their fight against fascism and in defense of the Second Spanish Republic. The organization played a key role during the war, organizing workshops, classes, and providing medical care, while also forming a battalion for the trenches. Women within the JSU held crucial positions of leadership, and one of its branches, "Alerta," was responsible for caring for the wounded during bombings.
Julia Conesa, just 19 years old: "Mother, brothers, with all my love and enthusiasm, I ask you not to cry. May my name never be erased from history." Her words echoed a defiant spirit shared by all the young women.
Blanca Brisac, a 29-year-old pianist and mother: "They kill me innocent, but I die as the innocent die. You know I do not lie, that I have done nothing wrong. Never forget our son."
Dionisia Manzanero, just 20, found the strength to say: "I die for an ideal, and that gives me the strength to die with my head held high."
The night before their execution, the Thirteen Roses were informed that they would be shot at dawn. Their last moments were filled with a blend of fear, defiance, and solidarity. Some of the women clung to each other for comfort, while others could not suppress their anxiety. In a quiet rebellion against the grim circumstances, they sang songs like The Internationale, and wrote their final words on scraps of paper, leaving behind messages of love, hope, and defiance. They spent their last hours together, saying goodbye to their comrades and writing farewell letters to their families.
These women were part of a larger movement of resistance during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). With the rise of Franco's regime in 1939, the persecution of Republicans, anarchists, communists, and members of socialist organizations escalated. In the months following the end of the war, around 10,000 people were detained in Madrid alone, including many young members of the Unified Socialist Youth (JSU), which the Thirteen Roses were part of. Their activism during the war had mostly been focused on political and social resistance. Some had worked in hospitals, caring for the wounded and orphaned, while others were involved in organizing clandestine meetings, printing anti-Francoist propaganda, and supporting those who resisted the regime. Not all of them took part in armed conflict, but their activism was a key part of the ongoing fight against fascism.
On May 5th and 6th, 1939, the Thirteen Roses and other members of the JSU were arrested under accusations of plotting against the regime. They were accused of conspiring to attack Francoist targets, forming a network to support prisoners, and even being involved in the assassination of Commander Isaac Gabaldón, despite being imprisoned at the time of the event. These charges were fabricated—part of a larger pattern of repression targeting anyone associated with the Republican cause.
Gabaldón was the head of the military police intelligence service, responsible for guarding the archives that listed people associated with Freemasonry and communism. While the regime was quick to arrest members of the JSU, including the Thirteen Roses, there was little evidence to link them to the attack. Some suspected that the Francoist intelligence services had orchestrated the shooting as a strategy of confusion to target young communists. The family of Gabaldón was never convinced by the official story, and many believe that the attack was an internal maneuver within Franco's forces. In the aftermath, 57 young people were executed for their supposed involvement, 13 of whom were women—Las Trece Rosas.
The women were condemned to death for acts of sabotage and attempted conspiracies, some in leadership roles, others serving as liaisons. It is believed that this mass execution was, in part, an act of vengeance against the JSU and their growing influence in the resistance. After the Francoists took control of Madrid, many women and men from the JSU were incarcerated, and some faced brutal torture to extract information, with a few betraying their comrades under duress.
The women were taken to the Ventas prison, a place where conditions were dire. Originally built for just 450 women, it housed thousands, many of them political prisoners. For three months, the Thirteen Roses endured inhumane conditions: sleeping on the floor, enduring overcrowding, and listening to the names of other prisoners called for execution each night. They knew that their time was coming, and yet, despite the oppressive environment, they held onto their ideals.
On the morning of August 5th, 1939, the Thirteen Roses were led out of the prison, their fate sealed. They were taken to the Cementerio del Este (now Almudena Cemetery) in Madrid, where they were executed by firing squad. Their deaths were not just the execution of young women; they symbolized the brutal repression of an entire generation under Francoism.
The story of the Thirteen Roses serves as a reminder of the cruelty of Franco's dictatorship and the courage of those who fought against it. Their executions were part of a larger wave of repression that saw thousands of people, many of them young, sentenced to death or imprisoned without trial, in what can only be described as a widespread campaign of terror. The regime punished women particularly harshly, using their executions as an example to instill fear in others, especially young women who might be inspired by their activism.
One of the Thirteen Roses, Julia Conesa, wrote: "May my name never be erased from history." And so, their memory lives on. The Thirteen Roses are not just a symbol of the thousands who suffered under Francoism, but also of the enduring resistance of those who refused to bow to oppression. Their story is an important one—reminding us of the dangers of fascism, the price of freedom, and the strength of the human spirit. Their fight for democracy, their lives, and their ultimate sacrifice should never be forgotten.
The story of the Thirteen Roses is a stark reminder not only of their courage and sacrifice but also of the countless individuals who, like them, were executed without trial and buried in unmarked mass graves—victims of a regime that erased their identities and denied them justice. Their lives, their names, and their stories deserve to be remembered and honored. In a time where authoritarian regimes are on the rise across the world, their story is more relevant than ever. Their memory must endure, reminding us of all of the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of fighting for freedom and dignity.
some links of references:
SP - https://educahistoria.com/la-historia-de-las-13-rosas-valientes-mujeres-en-la-sombra-de-la-guerra-civil-espanola/
SP -https://reflexioneseneldivan.blogspot.com/p/las-trece-rosas.html
EN- https://howlinginfinite.com/2019/04/02/las-trece-rosas/
EN - https://www.brh.org.uk/site/articles/thirteen-roses-43-carnations/
Movie: Las Trece Rosas - Emilio Martínez-Lázaro
Documental:
Posible books of interest:
The Thirteen Roses were part of a larger group of young women from the Unified Socialist Youth (JSU), a socialist and communist organization created in 1936 in Madrid as a response to the popular uprising following the military coup. The JSU was a movement of young people, both men and women, united in their fight against fascism and in defense of the Second Spanish Republic. The organization played a key role during the war, organizing workshops, classes, and providing medical care, while also forming a battalion for the trenches. Women within the JSU held crucial positions of leadership, and one of its branches, "Alerta," was responsible for caring for the wounded during bombings.
Julia Conesa, just 19 years old: "Mother, brothers, with all my love and enthusiasm, I ask you not to cry. May my name never be erased from history." Her words echoed a defiant spirit shared by all the young women.
Blanca Brisac, a 29-year-old pianist and mother: "They kill me innocent, but I die as the innocent die. You know I do not lie, that I have done nothing wrong. Never forget our son."
Dionisia Manzanero, just 20, found the strength to say: "I die for an ideal, and that gives me the strength to die with my head held high."
The night before their execution, the Thirteen Roses were informed that they would be shot at dawn. Their last moments were filled with a blend of fear, defiance, and solidarity. Some of the women clung to each other for comfort, while others could not suppress their anxiety. In a quiet rebellion against the grim circumstances, they sang songs like The Internationale, and wrote their final words on scraps of paper, leaving behind messages of love, hope, and defiance. They spent their last hours together, saying goodbye to their comrades and writing farewell letters to their families.
These women were part of a larger movement of resistance during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). With the rise of Franco's regime in 1939, the persecution of Republicans, anarchists, communists, and members of socialist organizations escalated. In the months following the end of the war, around 10,000 people were detained in Madrid alone, including many young members of the Unified Socialist Youth (JSU), which the Thirteen Roses were part of. Their activism during the war had mostly been focused on political and social resistance. Some had worked in hospitals, caring for the wounded and orphaned, while others were involved in organizing clandestine meetings, printing anti-Francoist propaganda, and supporting those who resisted the regime. Not all of them took part in armed conflict, but their activism was a key part of the ongoing fight against fascism.
On May 5th and 6th, 1939, the Thirteen Roses and other members of the JSU were arrested under accusations of plotting against the regime. They were accused of conspiring to attack Francoist targets, forming a network to support prisoners, and even being involved in the assassination of Commander Isaac Gabaldón, despite being imprisoned at the time of the event. These charges were fabricated—part of a larger pattern of repression targeting anyone associated with the Republican cause.
Gabaldón was the head of the military police intelligence service, responsible for guarding the archives that listed people associated with Freemasonry and communism. While the regime was quick to arrest members of the JSU, including the Thirteen Roses, there was little evidence to link them to the attack. Some suspected that the Francoist intelligence services had orchestrated the shooting as a strategy of confusion to target young communists. The family of Gabaldón was never convinced by the official story, and many believe that the attack was an internal maneuver within Franco's forces. In the aftermath, 57 young people were executed for their supposed involvement, 13 of whom were women—Las Trece Rosas.
The women were condemned to death for acts of sabotage and attempted conspiracies, some in leadership roles, others serving as liaisons. It is believed that this mass execution was, in part, an act of vengeance against the JSU and their growing influence in the resistance. After the Francoists took control of Madrid, many women and men from the JSU were incarcerated, and some faced brutal torture to extract information, with a few betraying their comrades under duress.
The women were taken to the Ventas prison, a place where conditions were dire. Originally built for just 450 women, it housed thousands, many of them political prisoners. For three months, the Thirteen Roses endured inhumane conditions: sleeping on the floor, enduring overcrowding, and listening to the names of other prisoners called for execution each night. They knew that their time was coming, and yet, despite the oppressive environment, they held onto their ideals.
On the morning of August 5th, 1939, the Thirteen Roses were led out of the prison, their fate sealed. They were taken to the Cementerio del Este (now Almudena Cemetery) in Madrid, where they were executed by firing squad. Their deaths were not just the execution of young women; they symbolized the brutal repression of an entire generation under Francoism.
The story of the Thirteen Roses serves as a reminder of the cruelty of Franco's dictatorship and the courage of those who fought against it. Their executions were part of a larger wave of repression that saw thousands of people, many of them young, sentenced to death or imprisoned without trial, in what can only be described as a widespread campaign of terror. The regime punished women particularly harshly, using their executions as an example to instill fear in others, especially young women who might be inspired by their activism.
One of the Thirteen Roses, Julia Conesa, wrote: "May my name never be erased from history." And so, their memory lives on. The Thirteen Roses are not just a symbol of the thousands who suffered under Francoism, but also of the enduring resistance of those who refused to bow to oppression. Their story is an important one—reminding us of the dangers of fascism, the price of freedom, and the strength of the human spirit. Their fight for democracy, their lives, and their ultimate sacrifice should never be forgotten.
The story of the Thirteen Roses is a stark reminder not only of their courage and sacrifice but also of the countless individuals who, like them, were executed without trial and buried in unmarked mass graves—victims of a regime that erased their identities and denied them justice. Their lives, their names, and their stories deserve to be remembered and honored. In a time where authoritarian regimes are on the rise across the world, their story is more relevant than ever. Their memory must endure, reminding us of all of the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of fighting for freedom and dignity.
some links of references:
SP - https://educahistoria.com/la-historia-de-las-13-rosas-valientes-mujeres-en-la-sombra-de-la-guerra-civil-espanola/
SP -https://reflexioneseneldivan.blogspot.com/p/las-trece-rosas.html
EN- https://howlinginfinite.com/2019/04/02/las-trece-rosas/
EN - https://www.brh.org.uk/site/articles/thirteen-roses-43-carnations/
Movie: Las Trece Rosas - Emilio Martínez-Lázaro
Documental:
Posible books of interest:
- Defying Male Civilization : Women in the Spanish Civil War by Mary Nash
- Free women of Spain: Anarchism and the Struggle for the Emancipation of Women by Martha Ackelsberg
- The women incendiaries by Edith Thomas
- Partisanas: Women in the Armed Resistance to Fascism and German Occupation (1936-1945) by Ingrid Strobl
- The Spanish Holocaust - Paul Preston