Reading the experience and the memory of the group Mujeres Libres in a dialogue with Foucault

Abstract

This essay analyzes selected aspects present in narratives of memory from former members of the anarcho-feminist group Mujeres Libres, active during the Spanish Revolution (1936- 1939), in close dialogue with some of the concepts proposed by the philosopher Michel Foucault. Particularly, it focus on his concepts of care of the self, aesthetics of existence and biopolitics to reflect on the actions taken by that group to promote freedom for women. It also discusses themes such as libertarian pedagogy and anarchist culture to understand its proposals for a new ethical construction of libertarian individuals. At the same time, it analyzes the contradictions related to matters such as abortion, maternity and free love, which were highly debated by the Mujeres Libres’ members to promote a true equality between men and women and to face daily resistances present even among the anarchist. It aims to show that the study of this experience from the theoretical framework proposed by Foucault can illuminate different aspects usually ignored of this rich story. Besides, it also shows that the work of the historian itself is radically modified when formulated along with that philosopher’s ideas.