The exhibition explores how, from the late 1950s onwards, Franco's regime embraced tourism as an economic and propaganda tool. By inviting holidaymakers to its Mediterranean coasts—promoting sun, beaches, and “tradition”—the dictatorship sought both foreign income and international approval. However, questions remain: did tourists become inadvertent diplomats, or were they complicit in overlooking Spain’s authoritarian reality? “Vamos a la playa” challenges visitors to reflect through multimedia works by artists such as Jörg Zimmer, Monika Anselment, Ulrike Weiss, and Christoph Otto. These pieces incorporate postcards, photography, installations, and film to unpack the holiday experience under authoritarian rule.

Curated as a collaboration with Bòlit Contemporary Art Center (Girona) and Museu de l’Empordà (Figueres), this is the first unified presentation of the Catalan exhibitions “Vacances amb Franco” and its Berlin iteration, offering fresh perspectives on collective memory and tourism’s hidden power.

The exhibition also features a diverse public programme engineered to spark critical dialogue: an artist-led discussion café, an international panel—organized with the Embassy of Spain and the Ibero-American Institute—on Spain’s anti-Franco opposition in Germany, a lecture exploring contemporary perceptions of the dictatorship, and a city walk to Guernicaplatz led by the Gernika Basque-German Association.

Visitors can experience the exhibition free of charge on Wednesday to Friday (10 – 17 h) and weekends (11 – 18 h), with accessible facilities and optional guided talks in German, English, and Spanish. Visitor information and event details are available on MEK’s website and the Berlin events portal.

• https://www.smb.museum/en/exhibitions/detail/vamos-a-la-playa/
• https://www.museumsportal-berlin.de/en/exhibitions/vamos-a-la-playa/