There is a division within some politically leaning sectors of society that history should either never be, or should be, forgotten, but for those choosing to remember and recognise the victims of an historic event, Sunday marks the anniversary of the fascist bombings of Torrevieja.

It was on 25 August 1938, that Italian fascist bombers, by order of Franco, bombarded the civilian population of Torrevieja, causing 19 deaths and numerous injuries.

It was a time during the Spanish Civil war, when the planes dropped 60 bombs onto the city, ripping through 25 homes and causing serious damage to buildings in the town centre and the port area, leaving 19 people dead and 45 injured, 25 of whom were civilians and 20 military.

Although shrouded in secrecy throughout history, like much of the Franco era, these days the horrific incident is remembered annually by those who attend to reflect on a past time and remember those involved.

On Sunday evening, at 7 p.m., a memorial gathering will take place at the Hombre del Mar monument, to mark the 86th anniversary, where information on what happened will be displayed, along with relatives of those who were killed remembering their loved ones.

As is usual, the right-leaning political groups of the PP and VOX are not expected to attend.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

George Santayana, The Life of Reason, 1905.