 From left to right: my grandmother, her sister Carmen and her oldest sister Milagro in Spain |
A bad political situation within a country can bring as a consequence deep economical and social problems. This alteration in a country’s status can drive individuals to search for better living standards in foreign countries. In the instance that these individuals migrate from their homeland, they initiate a new phase in their lives that brings radical changes. An unstable political condition was the primary cause for the migration of three consecutive generations within my family. Starting from my grandmother, who flee from Spain due to a dictatorship. Later with my dad who followed her footsteps and migrated due to a similar dictatorship in Venezuela. Finally, with myself, migrating from the consequences of a military attempt to overthrow the government in Venezuela. Such relocations caused major yet distinct impacts on all three generations. |
| My grandmother, from my mother’s side Margarita Memoli, was born in the Canary Islands of Spain in the year 1935. She enjoyed a pleasant life with the sufficient commodities that an individual needs to endure. However, this satisfactory period of her life and stability were broken up by a turning point in her life during the year of 1951. It was at this time that her family and herself were force to flee the country due to a Political persecution on behalf of Francisco Franco’s dictatorship. Franco had been in power since the early 1939 and his regime was similar to a fascist dictatorship. Under such government Spain enjoyed no freedoms. Its citizens were denied one of the most fundamental rights, which was the right to vote. In this way depriving them of the freedom to express themselves. Moreover, they were taken away their right to privacy since Franco’s personal police force, which were referred to as “La Guardia Civil ” were allowed to search inside people’s homes without any from of written documentation. These groups of individuals were also given the task of persecuting the advocates of Franco’s political party. Many times such tyranny resulted in arrests and even assassinations. |  A picture of Spain’s well known dictator, Francisco Franco |
 My grandmother upon her arrival to Venezuela. |
| My grandmother is a living proof of such political injustice. Her family was continuously persecuted by the police forces for opposing Franco’s ideologies. In fear of becoming possible victims to their assaults, her parents decided to find refuge in Venezuela, where they were informed that the government was offering residency to immigrants who were willing to work. At the time my grandmother arrived to Venezuela she was sixteen years old. Ironically when she arrived the Venezuelan government was headed by a dictatorship, as well. Nevertheless, they didn’t let this influence their stayed there because they had at least accomplished the goal of fleeing from the persecution. Due to the act that they were unable to withdraw any capital from their country, they had little economic resources to rely on. Therefore, they were force to rent a room in a very modest pension, were her parents, here two sisters and herself would have to accommodate themselves. My grandmother, who had previously resided in a very comfortable house in the Canary Islands, had to adapt herself to very poor and uncomfortable conditions. Because the space in the room was very limited, several mattresses were placed on the floor so that they could all sleep. Due to the fact that electricity and gas were not accessible, food was prepared by means of a kerosene stove. Bathrooms were not installed within the rooms, rather they were placed outside in a hallways were they would be shared with the other inquilines. Although my grandmother was familiar with the language spoken in Venezuela because Spanish was also spoken in Spain, she ignored the ways of lives within the Venezuelan culture. The culture, by which she had been raised with, was being challenged by a new way of life. Adapting to such customs became an extremely challenging task especially because she constantly held the vivid image of her beautiful Canary, engraved in her head. Attached to her reminiscence were the words of a beautiful melody interpreted by Los Bocheros of Spain. The song, titled “Islas Canarias”, depicts all the irreplaceable characteristics exposed in the islands. This splendor is exemplified through its blooming gardens, embracing waters, attractive women, and popular figures of its historical culture acknowledged as “Guanches”. The poetic lyrics are expressed with a sentiment, which my grandmother was able to identify with. The tune of the song is obtained by means of different instruments of string along with an acordeon in the background. The combination of the rhythm, lyrics, and thought, enabled my grandmother to transport herself to the lovely canary Island. She could easily sense the unique aroma produced by its air and feel the warm approach of the sunrays. Although in her memory always laid the sweet memories that were gathered in Spain, with the passing of time, my grandmother was able to acclimatize with the new environment. It would be in this strange land that she would eventually encounter her future initiate a family of her own. |
 My grandmother and her sister Carmen in the present time. |
|
ISLAS
CANARIAS (José M. Tarridas) ¡Ay, Canarias! la tierra de mis amores, ramo de flores
que brotan de la mar. ¡Ay! mis siete Islas Canarias, con el Pico Teide de guardián, son siete hermosos corazones que palpitan al mismo compass ¡Mis siete Islas Canarias! |
Canary Islands Oh, Canaries! the
land of my loves, branch of flowers that sprout of the sea. Vergel (Oh, my vergel without pair) of
beauty without pair, are our Islands Canaries, that do awake to dream. Garden (beautiful garden in flower) ideal always in flower,
are your women the roses, light of the sky and of the love. Islands Canaries, Islands Canaries. The heart of the guanches, [Islands
Canaries, Islands Canaries] and the murmur of the breeze.
[islands Canaries, Islands Canaries] The heart
of the guaaaaaaaaaaanches, [Islands Canaries, Islands Canaries] and the
murmur
of the breeze. Instrumental |
| Second
Generation |
Third
Generation |
