Porreres, January 5, 1937: a tragedy that still resonates
87 years ago, in a small town in Mallorca, an event took place that still touches the hearts of many today. In Porreres, during the Spanish Civil War, a group of falangists shot five women known as ‘the five roses of Mallorca’. This tragic episode has been etched in the collective memory of the island and continues to be remembered as an example of the violence and repression experienced during those difficult years.
The victims: Aurora Picornell, Belarmina González and the Flaquers
The five women who were shot were Aurora Picornell, Belarmina González, Caterina Flaquer and their daughters Antònia Pasqual Flaquer and Maria Pasqual Flaquer. All of them had been arrested and imprisoned by elements collaborating in the military rebellion of July 18, 1936. Their only ‘guilt’ was their commitment to the Mallorcan labor and communist movements, as well as their activism in favor of feminism and equal opportunities.
The legacy of ‘the five roses of Mallorca’
After their execution, the women were popularly known as ‘les roges des Molinar’ and, later, as ‘les cinc rose de Mallorca’. These denominations reflect their political identity and the memory of their tragic demise. His memory has endured over time and has become part of the corpus of Mallorcan popular culture. His sacrifice has inspired subsequent generations to fight for justice and equality.
A memory of courage and commitment
Aurora Picornell, Belarmina González, Caterina Flaquer and their daughters Antònia Pasqual Flaquer and Maria Pasqual Flaquer were brave women committed to their convictions. They fought for gender equality, workers’ rights and social justice. His sacrifice was not in vain as his legacy continues to inspire many people today. Let’s remember them as heroines who gave their lives for a better world.
