During the decline of the Franco regime, a handful of brave leftists launched a publication in Las Palmas to address the pressing social issues in Gran Canaria. At that time, the only significant political force was the Communist Party, and the magazine aimed to highlight the feudal-like conflicts on the island, such as the poverty in southern tomato-growing areas owned by the Count of Vega Grande.
The magazine faced constant censorship, leading to its short-lived existence from December 1969 to June 1972. I remember visiting its office on Torres Street, near Triana, and sensing the atmosphere of political activism and democratic aspirations there. The modest publication gained many followers and became an essential voice for the fight for freedom.
At La Laguna university, the magazine was passed around like a bible, comparable to influential leftist publications like Triunfo and Cuadernos para el Diálogo during that period. We, then in our twenties with ambitions to make a difference, contributed analysis on culture and society, while some of my stories, driven by a sense of urgency and the desire to challenge the status quo, were also published.
The magazine tackled topics rarely covered by mainstream newspapers, helping to raise social and regional awareness in the Canary Islands, often against the prevailing triumphalist narratives. It repeatedly called for an autonomy statute, which at that time seemed as far-fetched as capturing the moon.
The idea of a united Canary Islands, with a democratic and autonomous vision, began to take root just a few years before Franco’s death. This regional outlook, which sought to unite all the islands and diminish the traditional rivalry between the bourgeoisies of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, offered hope. The ongoing dispute between the two capital islands had long hindered the aspirations for autonomy, and their elite knew how to manipulate mutual grievances.
Sansofé experienced numerous fines and closures but eventually published 118 issues, a remarkable achievement. Initially led by Carlos de Yrissarri and later by others such as Antonio Cabral Rodríguez and Manuel Hernández García, it featured contributions from key journalists and intellectuals, including Ángel Tristán Pimienta and Jerónimo Saavedra, who outlined the foundational aspects of the future autonomy statute.
Notably absent were female contributors, as women had not yet secured their place in academia, culture, or creative fields at that time.
The magazine’s call for recognition of unique island identities and democracy led to seven sanctioning cases against it, resulting in nine fines. This relentless economic and administrative pressure ultimately forced its closure.
Sansofé became a symbol of courage, circulating among students and linking local realities with the broader international labour movements and critical spirit of the late 1960s. Philologist Nicolás Guerra Aguiar explored its significance in his book “Sansofé: en defensa de la libertad secuestrada,” aimed at preserving this vital chapter of Canary Islands journalism.
