(following an open public art competition)

A commissioned stained glass window. The window was designed, manufactured  and installed by Alpha Stained Glass and incorporates a poem commissioned from Sam Burnside. This window marks the contribution of those Belfast citizens to the anti-fascist forces during the Spanish Civil War from 1936 – 1939.  About 320 Irish volunteers fought against Franco’s forces as members of the XV International Brigade. Of these, forty-eight were born in Belfast. Twelve died in Spain. The Spanish Civil War was an opportunity to stand against the growth of fascism.

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To Spain,1936 Poetry text

Solid man. calf to ankle riveted

Booted foot to floor bolted, then the call:

No fife , no drum – a common man’s conscience roused

With others one by one from streets, far flung,

Bestriding all barriers, they come,

Modest men, men of backbone, brothers all

To Spain,  © Sam Burnside / Belfast City Council 

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Belfast City Hall

(Spanish Civil War window, Ground floor, north east corridor)

25 Nov 2015