International Brigade Memorial Trust
An event was held on 16 July at the International Brigade memorial in Cardiff to remember and honour the Welshmen and women who went to Spain to serve the Republican cause in the Spanish Civil War.
About 200 men from Wales fought in the International Brigade, and the annual commemoration had an extra significance this year as it marked the 80th anniversary of the start of the war on July 18, 1936.
Tributes to the men and women who went to Spain were led by Welsh Assembly Cabinet Member Mark Drakeford, who is the Labour Assembly Member for Cardiff West.
Mark Drakeford paid tribute to the heroism of the men who fought in Spain, and this was echoed by Plaid Cymru’s Dafydd Trystan Davies, who addressed the event in Welsh, English and Spanish, and by Montserrat Lunati, who comes from Catalonia.
The event emphasised the internationalism of the Brigaders and their courageous and humanitarian response in aiding the Spanish people against the forces of fascism and how the lessons learned from such and important cause resonates for the future.
The event was organised by IB Cymru (International Brigade Wales), whose organiser Mary Greening said it was important that the history of the contribution made to the Republican cause by people from Wales should never be forgotten.
There were songs by Cor Cochion Caerdydd (Cardiff Red Choir) and poems and other readings by Phil Cope, Wendy Lewis, Diana Bianchi, Celia Thomas and Judith Langdon.
The roll of honour, commemorating the 36 Welshmen who died in Spain, was read by Mary Greening, Dewi Rowland Hughes, Diana Bianchi and Lowenna Turner.
After floral tributes were laid at the memorial, the event concluded with three rousing versions of The Internationale led by Cor Cochion - in Welsh, Spanish and English.
Photos: Keith Hursthouse
Posted 22 July 2016
