The defense of Europe: hate has a better press than goodness | Spain

« Where do they give it? » Minutes before twelve in the morning, Madrid’s Plaza de Callao was the usual, a coming and going tourists, participants of one of many popular races in the capital every weekend, but this time a lady did not ask where Primark is. Its goal was to get a flag like the one carried out, that Klein blue and 12 yellow stars.

The scenario mounted for the occasion had as rear the same flag, that of the European Union. Because this Sunday they were convened all those who continue to think that Europe It is the best possible shelter, the one that always deserves defense but more now, and especially from what happened on January 20 of this year in Washington With the investiture of Donald Trump.

Also minutes before twelve in the morning, more than half of that cold square was full of people. That, summarizing, it could be said that they were the same person. « The Middle Ages is very high, what a shame, » Carmen laments, who is retired and goes with her husband because they have her children living in Europe and says she is very aware of how important it is to be in this concentration.

Carmen’s observation was available to anyone. Most attendees Lucia gray hair, whether exposed or covered by the dye. On the feet, sneakers of those looking for comfort more than fashion, hats and caps in the head, wrinkles on the face and hands. In the hands, posters that they deny war and disarmamentthat claim union, diversity, plurality, all Europas in one. By Gaza and by Ukraine. In the flap, defense of public health, zero cuts and rainbow.

Before starting the act, Miguel Ríos took the stage to prove the sound. « You see, those who are here have made the way with him, since it was Mike Ríos, » jokes Carmen.

Then journalists, writers and trade unionists went through that scenario. Many alive to Europe and a living to Spain pronounced by the MEP of adding María Eugenia Rodríguez-Palop that squeezed more than one. « I don’t know that alive to Spain, » said one of the attendees. « Of course, do not appropriate it, » her friend replied.

The encounter was full of good vibes, positivism. Of the word goodness, so necessary although, as writer Elvira Lindo pointed out, some are laughing when they listen to her. At times the war was remembered, both the one that served as a germ to build Europe and the one there, for years, in Ukraine, and the one that is also there, in Gaza, for decades. The huge screen of Callao cinema announced a play whose title seemed premonitory, or perhaps too much present: « Aliens will come and your eyes will have. »

And perhaps that good vibes was what stained the morning of sound applause, yes, but not as resounding as those that occur when what unites is hate. It is simply to be against someone, so effective in these times when a unarmed and apathetic society only goes to the call of anger and anger, mockery and befa posters, of easy rhyme but that sticks. Manolo Escobar instead of Miguel Ríos.

Europe is still a sofa with a blanket, fireplace surrounded by books and a cup of hot chocolate. It is still joy and freedom as Beethoven’s ninth symphony, which sounded, in the voice of Miguel Ríos, as well as ever.

At the end, every owl to his olive tree. « Well, I’m going to go, » said a man. « And I, fuck, that I am lumbar badly, » his companion replied. Europe defended itself in an hour.