International Brigade Memorial Trust
Brenda O'Riordan singing 'The Minstrel Boy', an old Irish song of liberty and freedom standing against tyranny and oppression. Recorded on the International Brigades last battlefields near Corbera d'Ebre overlooking the last British command post with the Sierra Pandols in the background. Recorded by Marshall Mateer on the IBMT Ebro Tour, Spain, 2013.
This is the third in a series of short films under the title ‘Volunteers for Liberty: Archives and memory – preserving the story of the International Brigades’, which are being produced by Platform Films for the IBMT and the Marx Memorial Library. Another two films will follow in coming months, on the themes of political activism and refugees. The films publicise the extensive archives of the International Brigades and Spanish Civil War held by the Marx Memorial Library, which were digitally catalogued in 2017/18 in a project in which the IBMT was a partner and which received funding from The National Archives.
This is the fourth in a series of films under the title ‘Volunteers for Liberty: Archives and memory – preserving the story of the International Brigades’, which have been produced by Platform Films for the IBMT and the Marx Memorial Library. The films publicise the extensive archives of the International Brigades and Spanish Civil War held by the Marx Memorial Library, which were digitally catalogued in 2017/18 in a project in which the IBMT was a partner and which received funding from The National Archives.
This is the second in a series of short films under the title ‘Volunteers for Liberty: Archives and memory – preserving the story of the International Brigades’, which are being produced by Platform Films for the IBMT and the Marx Memorial Library. The first film was on trade unions and the Spanish Civil War. Another three films will follow in coming months, on the themes of anti-fascism, refugees and political activism. The films publicise the extensive archives of the International Brigades and Spanish Civil War held by the Marx Memorial Library, which were digitally catalogued in 2017/18 in a project in which the IBMT was a partner and which received funding from The National Archives.
This is the first in a series of short films under the title ‘Volunteers for Liberty: Archives and memory – preserving the story of the International Brigades’, which are being produced by Platform Films for the IBMT and the Marx Memorial Library. Another four films will follow in coming months, on the themes of women, anti-fascism, refugees and political activism. The films publicise the extensive archives of the International Brigades and Spanish Civil War held by the Marx Memorial Library, which were digitally catalogued in 2017/18 in a project in which the IBMT was a partner and which received funding from The National Archives.
OMNIBUS version - runs for 15 minutes - of the five short films under the title ‘Volunteers for Liberty: Archives and memory – preserving the story of the International Brigades’, which have been produced by Platform Films for the IBMT and the Marx Memorial Library. The films publicise the extensive archives of the International Brigades and Spanish Civil War held by the Marx Memorial Library, which were digitally catalogued in 2017/18 in a project in which the IBMT was a partner and which received funding from The National Archives.
On 8 March 2020 dozens of supporters gathered at Holywell Music Rooms in Oxford to celebrate the volunteers from the UK and Ireland who fought to defend democracy in the Spanish Civil War. IBMT supporter Alice Roth has produced this short film of the event.The event featured a number of actors and musicians reading and performing a range of Spanish Civil War-themed works.
Annual commemoration at London's Jubilee Gardens, held on 3 July 2021.
This year's event was a smaller, invitation-only commemoration due to ongoing restrictions. This film has been produced so all our members and supporters are able to experience the event.
Thelma Ruby, actress and widow of International Brigader Peter Frye, spoke about her memories of the volunteers and laid a wreath on behalf of the IBMT.
Then Ronan Burtenshaw, editor of Tribune magazine, spoke about the significance and legacy of the volunteers.
We request supporters to give as generously as they would if they had attended the ceremony. You can make a donation via PayPal here: www.international-brigades.org.uk/donation-page
The IBMT held a wreath-laying ceremony on Saturday 4 July at the International Brigade Memorial in Jubilee Gardens, London.
We have produced this short film of the proceedings in lieu of the customary public event, which could not be held due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.
Jeremy Corbyn, a close friend of the IBMT, was invited to lay the wreath. The film concludes with a pre-recorded performance of ‘Valley of Jarama’ by Na-Mara. Jeremy Corbyn said, "A real honour to lay the wreath at the International Brigade Memorial Trust Annual Commemoration. The International Brigade Memorial Trust keeps alive the memory and spirit of those who volunteered to defend democracy and fight fascism in Spain from 1936-39. In the world today let's unite against the far-right and for equality."
We request members and supporters to give as generously as they would if they had attended the ceremony. You can make a donation easily by texting IBMT to 70450 (£10) or via PayPal (www.international-brigades.org.uk/donation-page). All donations – however large or small – help fund our vital commemorative and educational work.
