In 1985, the fascist dictator Francisco Franco had been dead for 10 years. For four decades, the victor of the cruel civil war had kept Spain in his iron grip. His successors could not resist the pressure for freedom and democracy. Catalonia and its capital, Barcelona, with their different language and culture and support for the (anti-Franco) Republican government during the civil war, suffered harsh repression under Franco. Now the beautiful city awoke from 40 years of slumber. A free cultural life was emerged. Outrageous comics depicting the wildest sexual fantasies were published, new magazines appeared and daring new night spots opened. Barcelona's renaissance was crowned when it won the right to host the 1992 Olympic Games and the whole world was able to see this elegant city.
