Kasilda Hernáez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kasilda Hernáez
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Kasilda Hernáez (1940s)
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| Birth name | Soledad Kasilda Hernáez Vargas |
| Nickname(s) | "Kasi" and "La Miliciana" |
| Born | 9 April 1914 Zizurkil, Gipuzkoa, Spain |
| Died | 31 August 1992 (aged 78) Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Iparralde, France |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  Spanish Republic Euskadi |
| Service |  Confederal militias |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | Spanish Civil War |
| Spouse(s) | Felix Likiniano |
Soledad Kasilda Hernáez Vargas (1914-1992) was a brave Basque woman. She was an anarchist activist who fought in the Spanish Civil War. From a young age, she was involved in the Basque anarchist movement. She was even put in prison for her part in the Revolution of 1934.
When the civil war started, she joined the confederal militias. She fought on different fronts. After the war, she moved to France. There, she supported the French Resistance during World War II. She also helped other Spanish groups in exile.
Contents
Kasilda Hernáez: Early Life and Activism
Kasilda Hernáez was born in 1914. She was born in a place called Fraisoro de Zizurkil. Her grandmother was from the Calé community. Her uncles were anarchists. They taught her about libertarian ideas from a young age.
She grew up in the Egia neighborhood of Donostia. There, she learned to read and write at a public school.
Joining the Movement
When the Second Spanish Republic was formed, Kasilda joined the Libertarian Youth. This group taught her a lot. She also went to special schools called libertarian athenaeums.
She was briefly arrested for asking people to go on strike. This happened at a company where many women worked.
Imprisonment and Release
Kasilda was very active in the Revolution of 1934. Because of this, she was arrested. A military court sentenced her to prison. She was accused of spreading ideas and having certain materials.
She was held in the fort of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Later, she was moved to the Ventas women's prison in Madrid. After two years, she was set free. This happened because the Popular Front government gave a general amnesty. This amnesty was granted after the 1936 Spanish general election.
Meeting Felix Likiniano
Soon after leaving prison, she met Felix Likiniano. He was also an anarchist activist. They became partners for life. Kasilda also liked the ideas of the Mujeres Libres group. This group was formed in the same year. However, she did not officially join them.
Kasilda Hernáez in the Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War began in July 1936. Kasilda joined a group of fighters who were against Franco. These groups were called confederal militias.
Fighting for Freedom
She helped defend Donostia. She also took part in the Battle of Irun. After the fall of Euskadi, she moved to the Levante region. She fought with the Hilario-Zamora column. This group fought on the Aragon and Ebro fronts.
Exile in France
After the fall of Catalonia, Kasilda and Felix went to France. They were held in Argelès and Gurs concentration camps. They were released in the summer of 1940.
They then moved to Bordeaux. Their home became a secret center. It helped people who were fighting against Francoism and Nazism. People called it the "Basque Consulate."
Later Life and Legacy
Years later, the anarchist movement became weaker. Kasilda and Felix started to support the Basque National Liberation Movement. They also supported a group called Euskadi ta Askatasuna (ETA).
Kasilda Hernáez passed away from cancer. She died in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France, on August 31, 1992. She is buried with Felix Likiniano in the cemetery of Biarritz. Her friend Begoña Gorospe wrote a special message on her tombstone. It says, "Woman, you are the fire that does not go out!"
Remembering Kasilda Hernáez
Many people have honored Kasilda Hernáez. They want to remember her life and her fight for what she believed in.
Books and Plays
- In 1985, Luis María Jiménez de Aberásturi wrote a book about her. It was called Casilda, miliciana: historia de un sentimiento.
- In 2021, a theater group called Goitibera created a play. It was named Kasilda, bukatzen ez den sua, which means "Kasilda, the fire that does not go out."
Documentaries and Graphic Novels
- In 2022, a documentary was made about her. It was called Casilda, el eco de otros pasos. Juan Felipe directed this film.
- Also in 2022, a graphic novel came out. It was titled Casilda revolucionaria by Rubén Uceda Villanueva. This book tells her life story from her own point of view.
See also
In Spanish: Soledad Casilda Hernáez para niños
