[Meeting…] Apolonio

The thirties of the 20th century were extremely turbulent on a political and social level in Europe as a whole, and Spain was not only no exception, but it is the country in the extreme west where class struggles gained greater visibility. On the one hand, there were the popular masses subsisting in the most miserable conditions and nourishing a labor movement (both in its political and union branches) in constant expansion.

On the other, and in the antipodes of the previous one, a ruling minority that owns most of the land, industry, banking and, in the case of the Church, the dogmas of faith disseminated from the pulpit and classrooms. They jealously guarded their secular privileges, which is why they were extremely hostile to the timid but important reforms that the progressive republican government was trying to implement (which, in reality, represented the interests of the classes with less political strength in the country, that is, of the intermediate layer of society: the small and medium bourgeoisie). The 1933 electoral victory of the fascist CEDA and the liberals of the Radical Party (leaning to the right at that time) seemed to return them to their desired status quo...

It is at this time that we will see ourselves fully immersed in The ballad of the north, the graphic novel by Alfonso Zapico, which we will talk about from the prism of Apollonius, one of its most prominent characters.

Foreman of the Montecorvo mine

Apolonio is a man of middle-aged with a stout build, with dark hair covered by a beret, mustache and poorly maintained beard. Altogether, his rudeness in appearance and character is a true reflection of the average miner of the time. Their treatment can be harsh and, at times, hard and severe, but ultimately, and as we will see, its best qualities are its simplicity and humanity.

As foreman of the coal mine in the fictitious Asturian town of Montercorvo. Therefore, its position within the complex is relatively advantageous. He directs the daily work in the mine, and is particularly strict with those who, due to their youth, have not assimilated the rules of behavior at work. Despite his closeness of treatment and leadership skills They have made him respected by everyone, not only by the workers, but also by the middle management of the complex, among whom he usually intercedes.

Your responsibilities also include take care of key properties of the mine, like the dynamite warehouse keys, which will be required by those characters most inclined to the revolution. This one, although it would never occur to him to betray them, refuses round to hand them over. At least, initially...

Circumstantial revolutionary, husband and father

And the character we are dealing with is, above all, a simple man which as a general rule avoids getting into more complications than necessary. He has enough with his work in the mine and the agricultural work with which he complements his means of subsistence (at least, he has a small corral with dairy cows and chickens). However, The harsh working conditions are becoming more and more unbearable. No matter how much good faith and dialogue he had with those who appealed to his superiors, they were inflexible with ordinary miners. They even refused to compensate the families of workers affected by workplace accidents (deaths and injuries due to collapses, explosions, etc. were commonplace). As if that were not enough, the shortage was widespread among the most humble classes.

Because of this, Apolonio's indignation increased until, once the last straw broke the camel's back, decidió entregar las llaves del polvorín a los revolucionarios y apuntarse a las reuniones secretas que organizaban sus cabecillas. Con todo, su escasa o nula trayectoria en la militancia política y su espíritu pragmático hacían que frecuentemente terminase hastiado de las discusiones bizantinas entre comunistas, anarquistas y socialistas, las tres grandes facciones que preparaban la insurrección.

En lo personal, está casado con Amalia, una mujer con carácter que no duda en poner los puntos sobre las íes a su marido y cuyo trabajo está también vinculado con la mina, aunque, como el resto de mujeres, dedicado a limpiar mineral a cielo abierto. Eso sin olvidar las labores domésticas y, al parecer, su oficio en un lavadero. Ambos tienen una hija con común, Isolina, una joven inteligente, independiente y de fuerte personalidad que trabaja como empelada del hogar en la mansión del marqués de Montecorvo (dueño del complejo minero en el que trabajan), y hacia la cual Apolonio, como hombre de su tiempo, se muestra sobreprotector en extremo. The relación romántica que ésta mantiene con Tristán, hijo del marqués, promete acarrear conflictos de interés en la revolución que está por llegar.

Conclusion and recommendations

Apolonio es un capataz de la mina de Montecorvo Alto. Pese a no ser lo que en la época se conocía como “revolucionario profesional” ni a tener un pasado políticamente militante, las insoportables condiciones del momento le empujaron a pasar a la acción sumándose a la célebre revolución de Asturias de 1934. Técnicamente no es el protagonista de la historia (éstos son Tristán e Isolina), aunque su papel en la historia es clave, puesto que es a través de este personaje como conoceremos las condiciones extremas de la vida en las minas y de cómo se va fraguando la insurrección.

The ballad of the north es una novela gráfica de Alfonso Zapico que retrata magistralmente y en toda su complejidad una de las épocas más olvidadas de nuestra historia reciente. Editado por Astiberri, hasta el momento existe un único tomo publicado en 2015, aunque el segundo saldrá a la venta el 28 de abril de este año, por lo que sólo habrá que esperar poco más de un mes para seguir disfrutando de esta fascinante historia cuyo final no promete ser demasiado feliz.