The Museo Casa del Hidalgo recently hosted the launch of the book Alcázar de Cervantes: School and education in the first half of the 20th century, written by researchers Felipe Molina Carrión and Francisco José Atienza Santiago. The event took place on 4 November and attracted a large audience, including the mayor, Rosa Melchor, and numerous municipal officials.
This extensive historical research is accompanied by over 200 photographs from the era and a wealth of documentation regarding classrooms of that time. The book features a foreword by the late filmmaker José Luis Cuerda, who passed away in 2020. It addresses sensitive topics such as the transition from schools located in homes to the establishment of the first institutes, as well as changes in the educational system during the monarchy, the Second Republic, and the subsequent restructuring of education following the Spanish Civil War.
Felipe Molina stated, "The book reflects a historical period filled with fascinating experiences during the Republic, the Civil War, and also very challenging moments, such as the post-war era." He emphasised that the work primarily focuses on the memory of the teachers who significantly influenced their lives and careers.
Molina also noted that the project involved contributions from various archives and included many people, along with oral testimonies. Francisco José Atienza explained that the idea originated from a project they undertook in 2010 at the University of Barcelona, which laid the groundwork for the current work. They aimed to coincide the book's publication with the start of the school year as a tribute to the teachers of Alcázar de San Juan.
Regarding the foreword by José Luis Cuerda, Atienza clarified that the book is inspired by the film La lengua de las mariposas, and they had requested the director to write the foreword years ago; despite his passing, they chose to retain it.
Mayor Rosa Melchor expressed gratitude to the authors and all collaborators for their efforts in "rescuing our memory and the history of Alcázar during those 50 years in the first half of the last century, which were fraught with hardships." She reflected on how unimaginable it would be today for children to start working at the age of seven or eight without any education, many unable to read or write. She believes it is essential to understand our past to avoid repeating the same mistakes and to continue looking towards the future.
The event included an engaging discussion on education, teachers, and the evolution of teaching, featuring contributions from researchers and educators who shared various perspectives on the subject. Attendees also viewed and discussed many of the historical images included in the book, which depict schools and educational environments of the time, along with teachers and their students.
The book is now available on Amazon, although attendees had the opportunity to purchase a limited number of physical copies directly at the event. Both authors have strong ties to the city; Francisco José Atienza holds a degree in History from the University of Castilla-La Mancha and currently serves as the municipal archivist in Alcázar de San Juan. Felipe Molina, also a History graduate from the same university, is a secondary education teacher and has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Historical Research Award "Alcázar de San Juan" in 2011.
