Photos by Elisa Gonzales, Anton Alexander, Freddie Scott and Leah Pattem
Each year, in the shadows of the nation-wide parade of the Spanish military, indigenous communities come together in Madrid to celebrate the parts of their culture and history that were never erased during the colonisation of their people and lands.
The Indigenous People’s parades will return to the streets of Madrid again on 12 October 2025, on the anniversary of Christopher Colombus’ arrival to the Americas, where is it claimed that he ‘discovered’ the lands and ‘enlightened’ and ‘civilised’ it’s people, bringing them Spanish and Catholicism.
But for the last 534 years, a complex system of exploitation of land, raw materials and people has existed, but it’s a story that remains largely unwritten. Books must accurately reflect historical facts regarding past tragedies and atrocities, in particular slavery, human trafficking and colonialism.
Madrid’s Descolonicémonos 12 Octubre group have organised a series of events which will take place on Plaza de Colón, Sol and Lavapiés with concerts and performances.
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