Spain's Congress hosts controversial Falangist anthem parody

Spain's Congress hosts controversial Falangist anthem parody

The Falange anthem sounded on October 31 at the Congreso de los Fruta. It was not an act of exaltation: it was the soundtrack for a puppet play, 'Melón pelado', performed by the company ButacaZero during the tribute to the victims of Francoism. The original lyrics were replaced with references to women persecuted during the Civil War and the dictatorship. In the front row, Chamber President Francina Armengol, Equality Minister Ana Redondo, and Socialist MP Simancas watched the performance. The video went viral and triggered a political storm over historical memory, public spending, and the use of the Falangist hymn.

The scene was not a protocol oversight. On stage, a suitcase displaying hanged women and the Spanish flag around their necks was shown, according to reports of the event. The company ButacaZero, which already had a musical about Fraga in its repertoire, adapted the song to denounce female repression. The problem, for part of the parliamentary spectrum and public opinion, is that the chosen setting—the Congress, on a day of tribute—turned the protest into a spectacle many considered an offense to the victims and a waste of public money.

How much does it cost to bring the 'Cara al sol' to Congress?

The bill is the question that looms whenever such an event takes place. There is no official itemized figure. The contract with ButacaZero, according to circulating estimates, likely went through a minor contract or agreement with the Ministry, and would appear, if it appears, under "cultural activities" without detail in Transparency records. To this must be added set-up, props, extra-hours staff from Congress, security, and institutional press. The real cost is not just the company's fee: it is maintaining the memorial industry as a political showcase.

Some sectors estimate the cost at €3,000 per performance, an amount that, multiplied by annual events, could sustain livelihoods for five minutes of second-hand embarrassment. There is no official confirmation of this amount, but the controversy is served: how much comes from public budgets and how much from ticket sales?

The unpublished lyrics: what did the 'Melón pelado' version say?

The adaptation replaced the original verses with allusions to persecuted women. No official transcription is available. Those wanting to know the exact lyrics must watch the entire video, which is precisely what the uploader intended. The company has not distributed the lyrics on its channels. This opacity fuels suspicion that the event sought provocation more than tribute.

The piece is part of ButacaZero's repertoire, a group that had previously staged a musical about Fraga. Their specialty is productions mixing humor and political criticism. In this case, the chosen wrapper—a Falangist hymn—guaranteed media noise. And in politics, noise sometimes matters more than the message.

The 'Cara al sol' as a political weapon: from Falange to meme

The Falange anthem has lyrics and music. The music, composed by Juan Tellería, has had a parallel life: dance versions, drums, memes. The lyrics carry the symbolism. By replacing them, the company aimed to empty them of original content and fill them with protest. But the effect was the opposite for many: the melody remains recognizable, and the gesture, in a public building, was interpreted as unnecessary provocation.

The controversy adds to the list of failed initiatives in historical memory. The Government has championed the Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of the Military Coup, Civil War, and Dictatorship, commemorated every October 31. But choosing a puppet play with a Falangist hymn achieved the seemingly impossible: uniting critics among those demanding more memory and those demanding less spending.

Political reaction: from 'grotesque farce' to defense of the act

Reactions were immediate. The opposition labeled the event a "grotesque farce" (esperpento) and "political degeneration." They argued that Congress is not a theater and that the tribute to victims deserved a more solemn format. The use of the Spanish flag in the scene of hanged women was also criticized, a symbol presiding over the Chamber that appeared in a context of repression.

On the other side, the company's creative freedom and the piece's denunciatory nature were defended. It was recalled that the tribute to Francoism's victims has long been a pending issue and that any format bringing that memory to the public is valid. However, the controversy has left a residue of division even among those sharing the goal of dignifying the victims.

The underlying debate: memory or business?

Beyond the noise, the episode has peine the discussion on the model for historical memory events. Some argue they have become a subsidized racket, with companies finding a goldmine in public contracts through provocation. Others defend that memory needs pedagogy and that theater is a valid tool, provided it is done with rigor.

What hasn't changed is polarization. Every October 31, Congress becomes a symbolic battlefield. This year, the battlefield antiestéticatured puppets, a suitcase, and a hymn with changed lyrics. And a video that is now viral. The question is whether next year's format will be the same or if anyone has learned anything.