International Brigade Memorial Trust
By Pauline Fraser (IBMT Trustee)
Brilliantly organised by AABI, our friends in Madrid, Jarama ’80 on 17/18 February was a truly international event, with, among others, a coachload from Britain – Scotland had the lion’s share (the lion rampant) – France, Germany, Ireland – the Friends of the International Brigades in Ireland had over 100 on their contingent, with their followers continuing to grow and grow – the United States, and, of course, a huge turnout from Spain.
Many many hundreds took part in the various events over the weekend. There were concerts on Friday and Saturday, with perfomers and musicians from Britain, Ireland and Spain, and this photo goes some way to showing the sheer size of the Battle of Jarama 80th aniversary march. There may have been as many as 1,000 on it.
Guest of honour was 97-year-old International Brigade interpreter Patricio Azcárate, seen here with his great great grandchildren to his left. After the march, he gave a memorable speech to the 300 diners at Mesón El Cid in nearby Morata de Tajuña.
Last but not least is a pic of myself at the International Brigade memorial on the Jarama battlefield speaking on behalf of the IBMT. If you want to hear what I said, click on the video link below (fast forward to somewhere near the end): https://youtu.be/9KcrHgX1PkY
Posted on 10 March 2017.
