Commemorations in Spain: A report from the AABI
Spanish and Italian antifascists united in Brihuega, much like 75 years ago. Photo B. Kolter
Severiano Montero, of the Association of Friends of the International Brigades (AABI), sends a report on recent commemorations and other events:
On February 27, we presented at the Ateneo de Madrid the Fanny Edelman’s book “Rebelion militante“. Jorge Grela, Vicente González and Miguel Pastrana glossed the human and political significance of this fighter for human rights and socialism. Between 5 and 15 March we screened the documentaries included in the film series on the International Brigades. The large audience appreciated this initiative that enabled them to access information in many cases difficult to access. The series ended by screening Good Bye Barcelona, the musical on the British battalion launched last year in London. The author, Karl Lewkowicz, was present; he expressed interest this musical to be produced here in Spain. We hope this will be possible.
Last weekend events were held to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Guadalajara. Click here for a report (in Spanish, pdf) and here for further information. I want to express special thanks to the Italian comrades who came to Spain to join us and mainly to Francesco Vaia, President of AICVAS.
For the future: a reminder that on June 30 is the 6th march Brunete of which I give full information as it becomes ready. Other acts that we perform are: the presentation of the map “Places of the International Brigades in Madrid”, prepared by our colleague Ken O’Keeffe and, likewise, the presentation of the wonderful book “Salvad España, salvad la paz” (the Spanish version of the original Memorials of the Spanish civil War).
And finally, some distressing news. This past weekend several monuments dedicated to the memory of the International Brigades were desecrated in Berlin, as had occurred in Madrid last October. More on this from Felix Population.
We’ll maintain the struggle for memory and against the fascism and capitalism aggressions, which will continue to grow if we do not stand up to it.
