The centenary of the Second World War: a 20-year project

Our team at El Nacional is embarking on a monumental undertaking, a 20-year project dedicated to dissecting the Second World War, not from the traditional 1939 start date, but from 1931, recognizing the invasion of Manchuria as a crucial precursor. This ambitious endeavor builds upon our recently concluded six-year project that examined the 80th anniversary of the conflict, with a particular focus on the intricate relationship between historiography and cinema.

This expanded scope is informed by leading historical perspectives, including those of Richard Overy and Winston Churchill, who argue that the interwar period was merely a truce in a larger, continuous conflict. We aim to meticulously analyze the antecedents of the war, dedicating the years 2026-2031 to its roots, including the First World War, applying a similar anniversary-driven approach to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the events as they unfolded.

Beyond broadening the temporal perspective, this project will delve deeper into aspects we previously couldn't fully explore: the interplay of cinema, historiography, and memory; ongoing historical debates; and the significant influence of the press. We are particularly excited to re-engage with our parallel project on autobiographical literature amidst war, expanding its scope to encompass literature and arts from the age of imperialism (1885 onwards) through the end of World War II. The firsthand accounts found in soldiers' diaries, as highlighted by documentaries like 'World War 1 in Colour,' offer an invaluable biographical lens through which to understand this complex period.