Written by Charo Rodriguez, BFIS Director of Communications
On May 14th, 2024, we had the honor of hosting on our campus Mr. Richard Blair, the son of George Orwell the literary pseudonym of Eric Arthur Blair (1903-1950), alongside Mr. Quentin Kopp, son of Georges Kopp, the Commander Officer of Orwell during the Spanish Civil War, and several esteemed members of the Orwell Society. Every two years, they embark on a tour of The Orwell Building, where George Orwell himself resided as a patient during the Spanish Civil War, following injuries sustained on the front lines in Huesca.
The Orwell Building
The historically significant Orwell Building, which currently houses offices and, during the construction of the new CCI, also accommodates some classrooms, has a rich past as a hospital during the Spanish Civil War. Originally owned by a wealthy family who fled the turmoil of that era, the property was seized by the POUM, a left-wing party prominent in Barcelona during the Spanish Second Republic. Renamed Sanatori Maurin in tribute to Joaquim Maurin, the general secretary of the POUM, the building served as a medical facility for wounded members of the party on the front lines.
George Orwell joined the International Brigades in December 1936 to fight fascism in Spain. He fought in Barcelona and the Aragon front with the militias of the POUM. There, he was shot in the neck and moved back to Barcelona. He received medical treatment in the Sanatori Maurin, currently the Orwell Building on the BFIS Campus.
Now, every two years, his adoptive son, Mr. Blair, Mr. Kopp, and some members of the Orwell Society, spend an afternoon touring the building and delving into rich dialogues with BFIS families and friends, perpetuating Orwell’s legacy through shared exploration and discourse.
Sanatorio Maurin advert in a local newspaper in 1937, with the image of the Orwell building in the left-hand side.
A Generous Donation to Enrich Our Libraries
This year, we were honored to receive a collection of books written by or about Orwell, published in Spanish, generously provided by his Literary Executor. We are deeply grateful for this thoughtful donation. These books will enrich our Libraries, offering students and families the opportunity to read them at school or check them out.
Orwell Dystopian Story Competition
Soon after this generous donation, the gathering moved to the BFIS Library, where they were joined by families and friends of the BFIS community. Here, two High School students delivered a compelling presentation on the Spanish Civil War and the rich historical significance of the Orwell Building. After that, Mr. Blair kindly presented awards to students who participated in the First Orwell Dystopian Short Story Competition, recognizing their remarkable creativity and literary skills.
The competition was open to Middle and High School students. All submissions displayed exceptional creativity and exhibited high-quality writing. Surprisingly, some of the winners were quite young; in fact, the top prize went to a student from Grade 6. Their pieces of creative writing are now accessible in our libraries. Our goal is to sustain this competition in the years to come and compile the winning entries into a book, providing our students and families with a treasure trove of literature to read and relish.
Mr. Blair presented the awards, which included a signed copy of Animal Farm and a book shopping card.
Through the Eyes of Family: An Intimate Portrait of George Orwell
To conclude the evening, Mr. Blair and Mr. Kopp engaged attendees in a captivating conversation shedding light on lesser-known facets of Orwell’s personality. While Orwell’s true character remains elusive, his son unveils a contrasting image. Far from the stern portrayal, he reveals a persona infused with a dry and subtle humor that subtly permeates both his personal life and literary works. Mr. Blair delighted the audience with heartwarming and fun childhood anecdotes and cherished memories of his father.
It was a lovely evening enjoyed by everyone. We look forward to welcoming Mr. Blair, Mr. Kopp and members of the Orwell Society once again in 2026.
