Exhibition recalls ‘El Ninos’

A NEW exhibition telling the story of how Dundee welcomed wartime child refugees from Spain 80 years ago is about to open in the city.

The exhibition about the Basque child refugees will be held at the central library from August 28 until September 9.

Plans to open a children’s war museum to present youngsters’ experience of war through their own voices and creativity are also currently being developed.

A spokesman for the new museum said: “After the bombing of Guernica in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War, 4,000 children were evacuated to Britain.

“The government did not want to compromise its policy of neutrality and offered no assistance to the ‘El Ninos’.

“Instead, mining communities, schools, churches, trade unions, peace groups and private sponsors supported the children who also raised money by performing concerts of music and dance from the Basque country.

“The only Scottish colony was established in Montrose by supporters from Dundee. A concert was held at the Caird Hall to raise money for the child refugees.

“It is now 80 years since the ‘El Ninos’ came to the area and were welcomed by local people.

“Dundee and Angus should be proud of the support that they gave to the children at that difficult time for them.

“We hope our exhibition will let more people know about this local history.”