What do you do to prevent this? (1937)

This map, by an anonymous author, was published by the Propaganda Commission of the Generalitat of Catalonia in 1937.

Esperanto had a limited number of speakers in Spain at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War, but its use did take root in certain organisations. The Catalan Propaganda Commissariat is one of the best examples, as it published fortnightly press releases in Esperanto from 1936 onwards.

This propaganda poster was written in Esperanto. The top part translates as «What do you do to prevent this?» and the one at the bottom «Esperantists around the world are taking vigorous action against international fascism!«The text is accompanied by a map of Western Europe in the centre with two arms wielding a knife. The one coming out of Italy bears fascist symbols, while the one coming out of Germany uses Nazi symbols.

Overall, this poster sought to make an international appeal for support against international interference by Italy and Germany in the Spanish Civil War.

Sources

• Kion will do everything to avoid it.
• The use of Esperanto during the Spanish Civil War