The neighborhood struggle of Orcasitas in the voice of its protagonists

Raul Garcia Hemonnet

The idea of ​​organizing this event arose after doing a project for the subject of Current World History. Clara Fernández Berjón and Víctor Sánchez Ramos, 5th year students of the Double Degree in History and Journalism, decided to focus on social movements. “This is how we approached the Orcasitas Neighborhood Association and met Félix López Rey, its founder. We loved his story, ”says Clara.

Félix López Rey has been committed to fighting for his neighborhood, Orcasitas, for more than 50 years. Now he has just published his memoir 'Orcasitas: binding memories of a neighborhood', so "it seemed like the best time to organize this event," says Víctor.

López Rey will talk about how, through associationism, self-organization, democratic participation, work and neighborhood struggle and collaboration, it was possible to transform a slum town built by people who left the countryside to be able to work in the incipient industries of Madrid, in a neighborhood with the necessary services and facilities.

The conference is aimed at students interested in History and Journalism, but it is open to anyone interested in learning about these experiences of vindication that shaped neighborhoods such as Orcasitas or Vallecas, during the 70s and 80s of the XNUMXth century, not always acquaintances.

“Félix López Rey transports you to the moment and place where his story takes place. This is not usually talked about. There is talk of the rural exodus but not of what it means for the transformation of cities”, says Clara Fernández.

Importance of the neighborhood movement

López Rey will be accompanied by the sociologist from Carlos III and a resident of Orcasitas, Eloy Cuéllar. Cuéllar is an expert in social movements and the neighborhood movement and will reflect on the importance for democracy in Spain of this movement developed in the 70s and 80s and how the collaboration between neighbors, journalists, architects and lawyers made it possible to achieve significant improvements in neighborhoods .

"It is about making known, through these people, how these neighborhoods were transformed and different ways of actively participating in neighborhood life", point out both Clara Fernández and Víctor Sánchez.

The conference will be held in person and online, through teams. Students who attend will have 0 ECTS. Together with Clara and Víctor, the Double Degree students Alba Menéndez Moreno and Alba María Martínez Marín have also organized the sessions.