AMONG the many statues and memorials across Glasgow, there is one figure with outstretched arms in tribute to the Scottish volunteers who fought in the Spanish Civil War.

La Pasionaria, or the passionate flower, is a depiction of Dolores Ibárruri, heroine of the Spanish Republican movement.

The statue of this popular and fiery politician stands with her hands rising into the sky above the inscription of her own words: “Better to die on your feet than live forever on your knees”.

Sculpted in bronze by the Liverpool-based artist Arthur Dooley and unveiled in 1977, La Pasionaria herself was well-known at home and around the world for her rousing words in support of the Spanish republic.

She stands today as a mark of commemoration for those men and women who left these islands to fight against fascism in 1936-1939. They were part of the International Brigade Association of Scotland.

Back in the early 1930s there was considerable violence sparked by a range of political groups in Spain which resulted in outright civil war.

As Britain and France refused to help the Spanish government in what they called their non-intervention policy, Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy supplied support to the rebels.

By March 1939, Madrid fell and the authoritarian leader General Franco came to power.

The outcome strengthened Hitler in Europe as the bond between Italy, Germany and now Spain grew.

More than 2,000 Britons fought in Spain.

Of the 134 Scots who died, 65 were from Glasgow.

When it became inevitable Franco would take control, the International Brigade dispersed across the continent to head home, not knowing the dark days of the Second World War lay ahead of them

As they left, La Pasionaria said: “Comrades of the International Brigades! Political reasons, reasons of state, the good of that same cause for which you offered your blood with limitless generosity, send some of you back to your countries and some to forced exile.

“You can go with pride. You are history. You are legend.

“You are the heroic example of the solidarity and the universality of democracy.

“We will not forget you; and, when the olive tree of peace puts forth its leaves, entwined with the laurels of the Spanish Republic's victory, come back!”

Franco died on November 20, 1975 after 39 years in control.