Receipt for a donation to support the Republic

During the Spanish Civil War, Czechoslovakia was undoubtedly one of the leading sympathizers of the Spanish Republican government. Although, as in other countries, society was far from united, and supporters of Franco's rebels could be found, they were only small groups compared to the sympathy expressed by Czech and a significant part of Slovak society.

Spontaneous expressions of support for Republican Spain arose immediately after the very first reports of the Francoist uprising. As early as autumn 1936, the Committee for Aid to Democratic Spain (Výbor pro pomoc demokratickému Španělsku) was established to bring together a number of organizations and individuals, including some well-known intellectuals, writers and artists such as painter Emil Filla, poets František Halas and Ivan Olbracht, scientist Jaroslav Heyrovský.

The Committee wanted to provide moral support for the Spanish Republic through propaganda activities such as lectures, exhibitions, theatre performances, concerts, as well as publications in daily newspapers and special brochures, books, and other promotional materials. In addition to demonstrating solidarity, the main goal was propaganda aimed at Czechoslovak society. One manifestation of this was the publication of a monthly magazine entitled "Spain” (Španělsko).

The second method was the provision of direct material aid, especially the acquisition of financial or material resources. In addition to donations and contributions from individual members or corporations, resources were obtained through public collections, the sale of promotional items, proceeds from charity events, and even blood donations.

The funds raised were used primarily for humanitarian aid. Among other things, the Committee provided financial and material support for the establishment of a children's refugee camp in southern France. The most direct and welcomed help seems to be the well-equipped field hospital, including a very modern operating room and a total of twenty staff members, which was organised, equipped and sent directly to Spain.

The image above shows a receipt combining an application to the Committee with a one -time donation of a voluntary amount.

ZM