The humour factor:
The humour factor:
social media reactions to Franco’s exhumation from the Valley of the Fallen
Author(s): Matilde EiroaSubject(s): Anthropology, Language and Literature Studies, Theoretical Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Communication studies, Pragmatics, Sociolinguistics, Politics and communication, Politics and society
Published by: Krakowskie Towarzystwo Popularyzowania Wiedzy o Komunikacji Językowej Tertium
Keywords: social media; memes; humour; Valley of the Fallen; Francisco Franco’s exhumation
Summary/Abstract: This article analyses the social reaction to Francisco Franco’s exhumation from his burial place in the Valley of the Fallen at the end of 2019. This decision was taken by virtue of compliance with the so-called Historical Memory Law approved in 2007 and generated a great social debate. Apart from opinions in favour and against that decision coming from the political spectrum of the left and right, respectively, we observed a new attitude, that of humour, present in tweets and memes. By analyzing a collection of memes that circulated in Twitter and WhatsApp groups, our research shows that the new media have brought in content and symbolism that ridicule the late dictator, trivialise the treatment given to the “Caudillo” [Leader] of Spain for nearly four decades and contribute to an uninhibited interpretation of memory policies.
Journal: The European Journal of Humour Research
- Issue Year: 10/2022
- Issue No: 3
- Page Range: 54-77
- Page Count: 24
- Language: English