The Perception of the USSR in Spain after the Restoration of Diplomatic Relations: Focusing on the Regional Aspect

This article examines the perception of the Soviet Union in Catalonia following the restoration of diplomatic relations between Spain and the USSR. Grounded in a constructivist approach, the study analyzes the formation of the Soviet image within regional public and intellectual discourse. The research reveals that the perception of the USSR in Catalonia was complex and multifaceted: on the one hand, it was informed by historical ties with the leftist movement and the search for an alternative model of a multinational state; on the other hand, it evolved under the influence of international events, such as the war in Afghanistan and Spain's accession to NATO. Particular attention is paid to the role of key Catalan intellectuals, whose works combined a critical analysis of the Soviet system with emotional engagement and personal experience. The author concludes that the image of the USSR in Catalonia was not merely a reflection of reality, but a social construct intrinsically linked to the process of shaping its own regional identity in the post-Franco period.