La Pasionaria

This memorial stands on Custom House Quay in Glasgow. The first time I saw it was a few years ago in an episode of Taggart. I'm sure just about everywhere in Glasgow has featured at some point though! I've photographed it a couple of times since then and as I made my way back from the hairdresser this morning I spotted it from the south side of the river. I knew then that it would be my photograph of the day.

The figure shown in the statue represents La Pasionaria (Dolores Ibárruri), a Spanish republican leader and communist politician best known for defending the Second Spanish Republic against General Franco during the Spanish Civil War. The memorial commemorates the British people who joined the International Brigades to help in the fight against his troops.

The inscription on the memorial reads "Better to die on your feet than live forever on your knees." and I think it can be applied to just about every aspect of life. Stand up for what you believe in, do what you love with as much of yourself as you can give and have the courage of your convictions. If is feels right, it probably is, and if it feels right, it's worth fighting for.