Remembrances in Motherwell and Hamburg

There are two big updates from Motherwell and from Hamburg to ‘Remembering in a Time of Lockdown’, an ongoing project by IBMT Film Coordinator Marshall Mateer to compile photos and messages from supporters in Britain and across the world showing how they marked annual commemorations to the International Brigades differently this year.

IBMT member and activist Andy Jones reports from Motherwell that a small scale ceremony was held at the International Brigade memorial in the Duchess of Hamilton Park, with dedications to the 40 volunteers from Lanarkshire who went to Spain. In addition, North Lanarkshire Council flew the Spanish Republican flag to mark the occasion. 

The official public ceremony was due to be held on 19 July but had to be cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions. Andy Jones spoke to the Motherwell Times: ‘“Hopefully next year we will be back to our usual service but to make sure we still honoured the fallen Brigadiers the committee still laid a wreath at the memorial this year.’ 

Reinhardt Silbermann of the IBMT’s German sister-organisation KSFR reports that their 28 March unveiling of a commemorative plaque to anti-fascist seafarers in Hamburg was postponed, but is positive that it will be held as soon as it is safe and practical.

The entire ‘Remembering in a Time of Lockdown’ gallery can be viewed on the IBMT’s Flickr page here.

Posted on 14 August 2020.