‘El Papus’, the humor magazine that did not survive the Franco era

Professor of journalism from the University of Valencia in Iranzo-Cabrera recently published: Papus (1973-1987). The counter-power of knowledge in the Spanish CrossingAn article analyzing The political context in which this title emerged and what was its path to its demise? Complete disappearance due to economic difficulties in 1987. A very ordinary ending for one person heroic magazine He said he overcame fines, dossiers, kidnappings and threats from the far right, which finally happened on the afternoon of September 20, 1977.

That day, several men gave a briefcase to the building’s doorman so he could send it to someone else. Xavier de Echarri, publishing director. Before completing the task, The explosive in the bag explodedIt caused the death of the goalkeeper and the injury of eighteen people. Among them was the weekly magazine’s pregnant telephone operator, Rosa Lorés.

“HE attempt caused his greatest success to fall apart Pappus, his team. The moment Óscar Nebreda, Gin and Ivà left the magazine marked the beginning of a new era. broadcast decline. Three of them were angry with the management of the weekly magazine because Special issue published after the bombCirculation was increased when they demanded that no profits be made from this tragedy. Although manager Carlos Navarro denies that this increase in circulation has occurred, the truth is Juan Peñalver’s death traumatized the team. On the one hand, explosives caused far more damage than a pen could convey; for the other, one person died what did they predict and what I wasn’t the author of those jokes“says María Iranzo-Cabrera.

all the way

In the early 1970s major publishing houses were located in Barcelona. One of these was ELF Editors, which he owned. Godo Group which sponsored its launch in 1972 barabbassatirical sports magazine. Its success was such that the publisher suggested creating a similar publication. Following this task, in 1973 Ramón Tosas “Ivà” and Òscar Nebreda, political satire based magazine they named PappusFor reference Papu is a monster well, Catalan mythologydedicated scare children.

HE The economic power of the Godó Group Allowed The launch of the magazine was done in style. In addition to television commercials starring Argentinian comedian Joe Rígoli, advertisements also appeared in different media outlets. A month before appearing on newsstands, the magazine has already received its first sanctionThis was to be followed by many others committed by some. military jurisdiction.

“Pappus Two soldiers were put to the test precisely because you dared He criticizes the military order on his covers. The first of these, number 32, referred to the military hierarchy’s alleged involvement in the corrupt Lockheed conspiracy. The second, number 33, parodied former warriors injured in the Civil War. first anniversary of death Franco. We’re talking about 1976, and this also applies to the cartoonists who starred on those covers. papunovels – they themselves loved to embellish and dramatize these parodies – Home detention and periodic appearances before military courts. Jordi Amorós, who signed as JA, was summoned to a third military trial between September and October 1977, but this apparently never took place. It would happen in just a few days. Briefcase bomb explosion in the editorial officeA ‘horror’ planned and upset by the far right for exactly these reasons Criticism of the army“.

Although it is often said along with the attack Pappus moderated his line, Gerardo Vilcheswriter Satirical passage. Political humor magazines in Spain (1975-1982), rejects the biggest one. “The criticisms of the far right and the Ucedista government continued. In fact, the political system became quite radicalized in terms of its vision and the character of the transition, which they considered to be slightly less than a paripé. Thursday This made him very upset, what actually happened was that they didn’t want to read that Spanish society had changed, that there wasn’t that much interest in politics anymore, and that disillusionment had led many people to get used to life and give up everything: Passato replaces progressive as a social stereotype symbol of time.”

From hope to disappointment

As María Iranzo-Cabrera explains in her article, Pappusthe editorial office was a powder keg hopeful young people demanding political change. First, the end of the Franco regime and then Decriminalization of adulteryamnesty, recognition of political parties, women’s rights and LGTBI collective and approval of abortion and divorce.

“As some stories point out, They could even tolerate the monarchy in exchange for having all these freedoms.. But according to The transition process progressed and a pact of silence was reached between political parties“Not only has the promised change slowed down, but the magazine even faced the threat of closure due to its erotic impertinence,” says María Iranzo-Cabrera, who also points out other reasons: hindered its viability Pappus. For example, the incorporation of graphic comedians into traditional newspapers, the emergence of other satirical newspapers, and the emergence of general information magazines. Report.

“In that case, Pappus allowed citizens to truly know who constituted the fledgling parliament, and The Francoist essence of those who present themselves as new MPs. To achieve this, he used so much creativity, bad language, colloquialisms and subliminal messages that he took over the society of that time. But, ReportIt was put up for sale in the period corresponding to the second closing of four months. Pappus, offered the same explanation as them and additional specific information. Eventually, his investigative journalism and sensationalism won over a significant portion of the satirical weekly magazine’s audience,” explains Iranzo-Cabrera. Loss of public favor and resulting decline in salesstates as the reason close Pappus Economic and emotional exhaustion caused by the legal struggle to obtain the right Those responsible for the attack were arrested. A fight in which neither the PSOE government, nor the police, nor the judges fully support this work.

In the first sentence, National Court judges Bienvenido Guevara, Luis Fernando Martínez and Juan García-Murga They considered that there was no evidence to convict the defendant and said that “the only reprehensible thing about the defendant was overdoing it in defending one’s ideologyWhile making explosives to be used against People of Marxist ideology”.

A second investigative judge, Alfredo Vázquez Rivera, was later appointed. fix errors on first tryThe defendant’s failure to remain under investigation led to Vázquez Rivera’s suspension at the request of his lawyers. PappusAlthough it has several consequences. As Carlos Navarro recalled, Vázquez Rivera himself “summoned Xavier de Echarri and me and advised us to stop pursuing those responsible for the bomb and declare the state affiliate responsible. Now I think we should have accepted this offer.”