Events

2 April ONLINE – The ALBA Film Series considers ‘Land and Freedom’, (1995, Ken Loach). The story centres on David Carr, an unemployed Liverpudlian communist who joins a militia unit fighting Franco's rebels in the Spanish Civil War but ends up being disenchanted with the sectarianism he encounters on the left. Organised by the US-based Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives. The discussion leader will be Lisa Berger, a Barcelona-based film-maker who was the crowd coordinator and archival researcher on ‘Land and Freedom’. 9pm-10.15pm. Registration essential via Eventbrite.

5 April SUNDERLAND – Solidarity Sunderland is hosting a planning meeting for the campaign for a memorial for the international volunteers who fought fascism in the Spanish Civil War; 10am to 12pm; Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, Burdon Rd, Sunderland SR1 1PP; see the Facebook event page for more information or write to SolidaritySunderland@gmail.com.

12 April SHEFFIELD – The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Jayne Dunn, will unveil the sculpture 'The Boy with Dove', created by artist Anthony Padgett with support from the IBMT, the Basque Children’s Association UK ’37  and Sheffield Trade Union Council. The statue is a tribute to peace, to Picasso (who attended the 2nd World Peace Congress in Sheffield in 1950), to the International Brigade volunteers from South Yorkshire, to the Basque children who were given sanctuary by the people of Sheffield, and to all Sheffield’s workers and citizens. There will also be a temporary exhibition at the Weston Park Museum. The unveiling will begin at noon in Weston Park, Sheffield S10 2TP.

26 April LONDON – Unveiling of a memorial to the volunteers from Newham in East London before the last Clapton Community Football Club (CCFC) men’s first team league game of the season at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, 212 Upton Lane, Forest Gate, London E7 9NP. Event to begin soon after 12pm with speakers and performances; programme details to follow. Background information available on the CCFC's website.

28 April REIGATE – Unveiling of the memorial created by Surrey Unison and Rob MacDonald from Outa-Space as part of the Solidarity Surrey project. The memorial is dedicated to Felicia Browne, the first British casualty of the Spanish Civil War, and all those who have given service to working-class struggles. Unison memorial gardens at Surrey County Council (11 Woodhatch Road, Cockshot Hill, Reigate RH2 8EF); time: TBC. More information online; contact Rob MacDonald at Sculpt@outspace.com.

3 May MIDDLESBROUGH – Special event to launch the North East branch of the Associazione Nazionale Partigiani d'Italia UK (ANPI UK) hosted by the North East Volunteers for Liberty. Speakers include Simone Rossi, chair of ANPI UK and local Historian Ian Stubbs, and there will be performances from Bob Beagrie, Mark Boden, Sara Dennis and Harry Gallagher. Chapel 16 Whitehouse St, Middlesbrough TS5 4BY from 7pm. This event is free, but donations to the Ron Dennison memorial fund are welcome. Contact NEVolunteersforliberty@gmail.com for further details.

9 May BELFAST – Talk by author, activist and academic Mike Morrissey, ‘Democracy in Danger: 100 Years of Struggle’, hosted by the International Brigade Commemoration Committee. The talk begins at 7pm in the Sunflower, 65 Union Street, Belfast BT1 2JG and follows on from the IBCC’s annual general meeting, which starts at 6.15pm. For more information call 07751 951785.

30 May – 1 June MALGRAT DE MAR – The annual festival at Solidarity Park. More information coming soon. Learn more about the project on YouTube. Contact: info@solidaritypark.

5 July LONDON – Music, speakers and remembrance at the International Brigade memorial, Jubilee Gardens, Belvedere Road, London SE1 7PG; 1pm-2pm; afterwards a get-together at the Camel & Artichoke, 121 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7AE. Event organised by the IBMT; contact the IBMT Secretary for more information.

Until 15 July 2025 LONDON – ‘Artists against Fascism and War’ exhibition in the Marie-Louise von Motesickzy Archive Gallery at Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG about the Artists International Association. Founded in 1933, the AIA played a prominent role in the struggle in Spain. Curator Andy Friend leads a 45-minute talk and guided tour on 8 April, 13 May, 10 June and 8 July. Details here.