The event, starting at 10:30 AM in the municipal plenary hall, will gather 21 family members of the teacher, including his grandchildren, as well as union representatives and associations for democratic memory. Doors will open at 10:00 AM.
During the ceremony, the Mayor of Alcoy, Toni Francés, will perform the symbolic handover of the remains to the family representative. Subsequently, they will be interred in the family niche at the municipal cemetery of Sant Antoni Abat.
Germán Sanz Esteve worked as a teacher in Alcoy and had strong ties to the labor movement through the UGT. His political and union commitment made him one of the victims of Francoist repression. He was executed in Paterna and initially buried in a mass grave. Recent exhumation and identification efforts have enabled the recovery of his remains.
“"Today, we are not just witnessing the return of a person's remains to their family, but an act of justice and dignity that comes too late. Germán Sanz was a teacher, a worker, and a citizen who lost his life at the hands of a dictatorship that persecuted people for their ideas. Recovering his remains is about repairing, as far as possible, an injustice that should never have happened."
The mayor emphasized that democracy cannot be indifferent to dictatorship and human rights violations. He highlighted that recognizing the victims of Francoism is an act of reparation, not of reopening wounds, and that a democratic society is founded on truth, reparation, and respect for freedom.
Through this event, the City Council aims to support the family, publicly acknowledge the figure of Germán Sanz, and contribute to repairing the suffering caused by Francoist repression. Providing a dignified burial for victims and recovering their names and stories is essential for reparation and for families' right to know the truth.
The tribute also underscores the importance of preserving democratic memory to understand the consequences of intolerance and political persecution, thereby defending freedom, coexistence, and human rights.
