A megaphone of steel. What stories could it tell? This is the Pasionaria in Brussels. It is more than just a sculpture. It is a tribute to the power of voice. It honors those who dare to speak out.
The Pasionaria was unveiled here in 2006. Emilio Lopez-Menchero is the artist. He dedicated this artwork to all migrants to Belgium. It stands as a call for self-expression. It urges us to make our voices heard.
But who was Pasionaria? She was Dolores Ibárruri. A Spanish freedom activist. People lovingly called her La Pasionaria. This means the Passionflower. She defended people during the Spanish Civil War. She gave fiery speeches using a loudspeaker. She spoke on the radio. She addressed soldiers in the trenches.
Ibárruri was born in 1895. She became known for her defense of the Second Spanish Republic. Her famous slogan was “No Pasarán”. It means “They Shall Not Pass”. This echoed during the Battle of Madrid.
Originally, she was a Carlist Catholic young woman. She transformed into a revolutionary militant. In 1921, she joined the Spanish Communist Party. During the 1930s, she wrote for the PCE publication Mundo Obrero. In 1936, she was elected to the Cortes as a PCE deputy for Asturias.
After the Spanish Civil War, she went into exile. She became General Secretary of the Communist Party of Spain. She held this position from 1942 to 1960. Later, she was named honorary president of the PCE. She held this post for the rest of her life. In 1977, she returned to Spain. She was reelected as a deputy to the Cortes for the same region. Many consider her one of the greatest public speakers of the 20th century.
This sculpture in Brussels captures her spirit. It is a large cone-shaped steel tube. It stretches four meters long. The horn diameter is 2.3 meters. It is made of 10 mm-thick stainless steel. Concrete stairs lead to a podium. You can stand there and use this loudspeaker.
The sculpture works in interesting ways. It amplifies sound. You can hear the city streets through the horn. Close and distant sounds mix together. The effect is immersive.
Whether you have something to say or just want to listen, this sculpture offers a unique experience. The Pasionaria reminds us of the importance of making our voices heard. It encourages us to listen to the world around us. It invites us to connect with the stories of those who came before. It also is close to the Brussels South Railway station and the Midi market. Take a moment. Climb the stairs. Listen. What will you hear? What will you say?