La forja de los héroes: notas en torno a La transición (Victoria Prego y Elías Andrés, TVE, 1995)

Abstract

The text offers an overview of the cultural narrative of Spanish Transition, based on La transición (1995), a documentary series written by Victoria Prego and Elías Andrés. It frames the democratic reform process as an epic narrative, with King Juan Carlos I portrayed as the central hero who guided the shift from dictatorship to democracy. Drawing on audiovisual materials and interviews, La transición crafted an idealized representation of other central figures in the development of modern Spain, including the first democratic president, Adolfo Suárez. Nevertheless, this story is currently being questioned in light of recent scandals that undermine the legitimacy of the Crown, as well as ongoing tensions regarding historical memory, the State model, and democratic challenges amid the rise of populist movements and nostalgia for Francoism.