International Brigade Memorial Trust
Here’s our 31 January 2018 eNewsletter to IBMT members. Download this PDF – IBMT eNewsletter no. 36.pdf – to see the version with images.
Better still, become a member of the IBMT (www.international-brigades.org.uk/membership) and you’ll receive this fortnightly update of news and events direct to your inbox on the day it’s published, plus our magazine sent three times a year to your home address.
31 January 2018 No. 36
It's easy to book for this year’s lecture day
Book now for the IBMT’s ever-popular annual lecture day, this year to be held in Bristol’s Colston Hall on Saturday 24 March. The theme is Aid Spain and, as well as expert speakers, there will be live music and a film screening – promising to make it an interesting and entertaining event.
Now it’s even easier to reserve tickets: just go to www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/len-crome-memorial-conference-2018-tickets-40631556078 and pay by credit card. Or you can send a cheque (include your email if a receipt is required) to: IBMT Treasurer, 37a Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R0DU.
The Len Crome Memorial Conference is named after a Lancashire GP who became the chief medical officer of the Spanish Republic’s XV Army Corps. This included the 35th Division, of which the mainly English-speaking 15th International Brigade was part.
Who are these veterans?
Can anyone help us identify these three International Brigaders? Their pictures were taken by Andrew Wing in 1996 at a Nottingham University conference as part of a TV documentary being made for the 60th anniversary of the Spanish Civil War. Andrew has now given the portraits to the IBMT. Others photographed at the conference included Bill Alexander, Penny Feiwel, Jack Jones, David Marshall and Sam Lesser. If you think you can help contact: secretary@international-brigades.org.uk
New merchandise for sale
New items have gone on sale on our website. Proceeds help fund the IBMT’s commemorative, educational and publicity work. They include:
• Mug. On one side the three-pointed star of the International Brigades and on the reverse side the words of La Pasionaria: ‘You are legend’. £9.99 plus £3.99 p&p.
• Brooch in colours of the Spanish Republic. Bespoke perspex laser cut brooch designed for the IBMT in art deco style. 6cms x 4.5cms. £9.99 plus £3.99 p&p.
• Three-pointed star International Brigade brooch. Bespoke perspex laser cut brooch designed for the IBMT. 4.5cms x 6cms. £8.99 plus £3.99 p&p.
• Tin-plated badge showing image of La Pasionaria and in the background the medal given to International Brigaders when they left Spain. In Spanish Republican colours. £1.99 plus £2.99 p&p.
To place orders (NB: p&p rates decrease with multiple orders) go to:
www.international-brigades.org.uk/catalog/new-productsspecial-offers
Other items are available on our merchandise page:
www.international-brigades.org.uk/merchandise.php
Banners in Madrid
International Brigade and trade unions banners from Britain were present in Madrid for the commemoration by Spanish trade unions on 24 January of the anniversary of the murder in 1977 in Atocha Street of five left-wing lawyers. They were killed by Spanish neo-fascists trying to undermine the restoration of democracy following Franco’s death two years earlier.
See online…
‘Deathbed photo’ of war photographer Gerda Taro discovered:
Gerda Taro biographer casts doubt on deathbed photo (in Spanish):
www.nuevatribuna.es/articulo/historia/cino-razones/20180119093703147474.html
Richard Baxell's Taro readings:
www.richardbaxell.info/taro-readings
BBC World Service interview from the Valley of the Fallen:
m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1845551548797296&id=163571453661989
Postcard from Republican prisoner during Spanish Civil War arrives 81 years late (paywall):
New York-based band Barbez play songs from the Spanish Civil War on radio station WFMU on 23 January (after 34mins):
https://wfmu.org/archiveplayer/?show=77050&archive=158864&starttime=
From a small town in Scotland to Spain: New play tells untold story:
In Catalonia, the nameless dead raise old animosities toward Franco:
www.cbc.ca/news/world/catalonia-dead-franco-animosities-margaret-evans-1.4499802
Accusations against Franco regime crimes: a countdown:
www.argia.eus/albistea/accusations-against-franco-regime-crimes-a-countdown
Forthcoming events
Until 17 February OXFORD - ‘¡Buenos Días Dictador!’, a new exhibition of works by artist Sonia Boué about the Spanish Civil War, in particular a response to the years of exile suffered by many Spanish Republicans and their families; at the Old Fire Station, 40 George Street, Oxford OX1 2AQ; opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-6pm. See:
https://oldfirestation.org.uk/exhibitions/buenos-dias-dictador and www.soniaboue.co.uk/section791050_348089.html
1 February LONDON - Public seminar: ‘The Historical Roots of the Present Catalan Crisis’, with Sir John Elliot, Felipe Fernández-Armesto and Professor Paul Preston. 7.30pm at the LSE (Clement House, Room 6.02), 99 Aldwych, London WC2A 2AE). Organised by LSE Hispanic Society in collaboration the Cañada Blanch Centre and Catalan Observatory. See:
www.lse.ac.uk/canada-blanch/events
6 February LONDON - Film screening: ‘En tierra extraña’ (In a Foreign Land) by Icíar Bollaín (Spain, 2014, 72 mins) in Spanish with English subtitles. 6.30pm at the Wolfson Theatre, New Academic Building, LSE, 54 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3LJ). Organised by the Language Centre-LSE, Cañada Blanch Centre, Instituto Cervantes and University of Roehampton. See:
www.lse.ac.uk/canada-blanch/events
7 February LONDON - Cañada Blanch Centre seminar: 'The Triumph of Arturo Barea', with Michael Eaude and Professor Paul Preston at the Instituto Cervantes, 15-19 Devereux Court, London WC2R 3JJ. See:
www.lse.ac.uk/canada-blanch/events
More information and registration:
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-triumph-of-arturo-barea-tickets-42166959511
7-10 February PRESTONPANS - ‘549: Scots of the Spanish Civil War’, a new play by Wonder Fools, with stories and songs about the 549 Scots who volunteered to fight fascism in Spain; 7.30pm at Prestonpans Town Hall, High Street, Prestonpans EH32 9JW; tickets £11/£8.25 from:
8 February OXFORD - Exhibition ‘A Spaniard in Oxfordshire: The archive of Arturo and Ilsa Barea’ organised by the Instituto Cervantes and IC Communications. 6pm-8pm at Weston Library, Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BG. More information and reservations (free):
9 February OXFORD - Artist Sonia Boué in converstaion about her exhibition ‘¡Buenos DíaDictador!’ on exile and the Spanish Civil War (see listing above); 3pm at the Old Fire Station, 40 George Street, Oxford OX1 2AQ.
10 February DUNDEE - Annual commemoration at 12pm at the International Brigade memorial in Albert Square, followed at 2pm by a gig in the Balcony Bar (5 Ward Road, Dundee DD1 1LP) by Gallo Rojo.
13-17 February GLASGOW - ‘549: Scots of the Spanish Civil War’, a new play by Wonder Fools, with stories and songs about the 549 Scots who volunteered to fight fascism in Spain; 7.30pm (plus 1.30pm matinée on 14 February) at Citizens Theatre, 119 Gorbals Street, Glasgow G5 9DS; tickets £12 from:
16-18 February MADRID - The annual international Battle of Jarama commemoration hosted by the AABI Spanish International Brigades friendship group, which attracts visitors from International Brigade associations around the world as well as many Spanish supporters. The visit includes a commemoration at the memorial to the Scottish volunteers at Tarancón on Friday, a walk across the battlefield (sensible shoes and outdoor clothing essential) followed by a complimentary lunch on Saturday and a selection of optional activities on Sunday. See:
www.international-brigades.org.uk/content/16-18-february-madrid
18 February MANCHESTER - Annual re-dedication of the Manchester International Brigade memorial and commemoration of the Battle of Jarama, commencing at 11am and lasting about an hour inside Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester M2 5DB. All IBMT members, trade unionists and labour movement activists are invited to attend.
For all events, visit our website.
Posted on 6 February 2018.
