Dan Hancox is a British journalist who went in search of the last communist village in Spain. Marinaleda is a village of about 2,700 residents, who live in what is the closest example of a modern day communist utopia. This is an incredible story of community, hope, and resistance in contemporary Europe.
Under the charismatic leadership of the mayor, Sanchez Gordillo, the village has managed to retain its young people and provide nearly full employment. The villagers have a co-operative that allows them to build their own houses. There are also Red Sundays – days when all residents are expected to work on maintaining the pristine condition of the village. In return, there is free internet and a community who will support you when the chips are down.
Gordillo, who has been mayor since 1979, has been known to lead Robin Hood-like raids on local supermarkets to feed the local unemployed. His unconventional and Marxist views on life have contributed to a community that has survived the Spanish financial crisis with its tail in the air. This is a fascinating read.
Reviewed at Young at Heart Book Group
Under the charismatic leadership of the mayor, Sanchez Gordillo, the village has managed to retain its young people and provide nearly full employment. The villagers have a co-operative that allows them to build their own houses. There are also Red Sundays – days when all residents are expected to work on maintaining the pristine condition of the village. In return, there is free internet and a community who will support you when the chips are down.
Gordillo, who has been mayor since 1979, has been known to lead Robin Hood-like raids on local supermarkets to feed the local unemployed. His unconventional and Marxist views on life have contributed to a community that has survived the Spanish financial crisis with its tail in the air. This is a fascinating read.
Reviewed at Young at Heart Book Group
Catalogue Link: The Village Against the World
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