El héroe de las Cabezas: un discutido símbolo constitucional durante el Trienio Liberal

Abstract

Rafael del Riego became the archetype of a revolutionary hero after his outstanding performance in the pronunciamiento of January 1, 1820 that allowed the restoration of the Constitution of 1812. In this paper we analyze the foundations and how the construction was produced, with great success. popular, of his heroic figure under the canon of the romantic hero of Napoleonic tradition. Secondly, we address how he became a constitutional symbol thanks to his vigilant attitude, leaving his figure immersed in the political struggles that occurred in a period of intense political mobilization. Finally, we expose the fight that took place between the factions of exalted liberalism around the image of the hero. Various groups sought his support for their own political projects, but Riego's reaction, determined to achieve a unity of action for liberalism that turned out to be impossible, shows us the limits and contradictions of his personal performance.

Keywords

• Liberalism
• Symbols
• Rafael del Riego
• Myth
• Public Image
• Celebrity