Madrid 2nd May 1808-2008 One people, One Nation
by Maja Gojkovic
If your not lucky enough to be escaping elsewhere for the May puente, then there is plenty that you can be doing right here in Madrid. If you fancy doing something different and finding out a little bit more about dos de mayo the Madrid 2nd May 1808-2008 One people, One nation exhibition is a great place to start. The exhibition is a virtual journey that recreates, from the hand of writer, journalist and member of the Spanish Royal Academy Arturo Pérez-Reverte, a journey in time commemorating the bicentenary of the uprising of the people of Madrid against Napoleon’s troops in 1808. With the helpful use of a virtual tour it helps in viewing the recreation of incidents that occurred in the streets of Madrid from the early hours of May 2nd, 1808 until early next morning.
Visitors will have access to the hall where original pieces and reproductions of different objects from the time are displayed, including objects such as utensils, weapons, engravings, uniforms and much more. The exhibition is divided into seven areas which offer a chronological account of what happened during the 20 hours in which the uprising by the people of Madrid against the invasion of Napoleon’s troops took place, triggering the beginning of the Spanish War of Independence. The precedents are explained, as well as events that sparked off the uprising, the offensive carried out by the French army, the urban guerrilla which fought the invasion, the battle between both armies, the landscape after the battle and a final report of the consequences resulting from these events as well as the people who lost their lives in the uprising. If going to museums is not one of your favorite pastimes, you may be about to change your mind. This exhibition is a great way to discover such an important part of Spanish history. The virtual journey makes the exhibition a fun and easy way of learning something new.
If you’re interested in seeing this exhibition it will run from 26th April 2008 - 30th June 2008.Venue: Canal Art Centre Schedule:
From 10:00am to 9:00pm Price: EUR6.
For the under 12 years old and the over 65s EUR4.
Guided visits (big groups) from Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 3:00pm and also on Monday from 4:00pm to 9:00pm. EUR65 in Spanish and EUR150 in any other languages during working days, EUR118 in Spanish and EUR170 in any other languages during the weekend and holidays.
Bus: 5, 27, 42, 49, 66, 67, 70, 107, 124, 134, 135, 147, 149 Metro: Plaza de Castilla