The Universidad Europea del Atlántico (European University of the Atlantic, UNEATLANTICO) hosted the talk ‘Gregorio Ordóñez, the life that could have been’, given by Ana Iríbar, widow of Gregorio Ordóñez and president of the Gregorio Ordóñez Foundation.
The talk began with the screening of a short documentary featuring Ana Iríbar, in which she recounts the life of Gregorio Ordóñez. The story begins with his arrival in Spain and the moment when the two met and fell in love. From there, the documentary focuses on Gregorio’s work as a Member of Parliament for the Popular Party in the Basque Country and his involvement in publicly confronting the terrorist group ETA. Furthermore, throughout the film, testimonies from those close to him are included, offering a more personal and professional perspective on his character.
The screening concludes with a scene in which Ana Iríbar leaves San Sebastián following Gregorio’s murder, conveying a message that is both melancholic and hopeful, addressed to all those who have been victims of terrorist attacks.
Ana later shared the objectives they had set themselves before making the documentary: to bring this reality closer to young people who did not experience terrorism, to raise awareness of it and thus help keep the memory of ETA’s victims alive, whilst also encouraging dialogue about what happened.
Ana placed particular emphasis on the need to speak openly and raise awareness of all the victims of the events that took place in Spain during those years, as well as the mark that ETA has left on the country’s history. She also asked for a minute’s silence in memory of all the victims of terrorism in Spain.
To conclude, the students had the opportunity to ask her questions, which allowed the discussion to turn to political issues, as well as her media exposure following Gregorio’s murder, how she dealt with it, the reasons that led her to move away from San Sebastián, and her subsequent reconciliation with the city.
Finally, she spoke about the creation of the Gregorio Ordóñez Foundation, established in December 1995, a few months after the murder. Ana emphasised that what helped her most to cope with her grief was being able to talk about it and offer support to other victims.