Trip to Spain 23-30 October

Here is a message received from our sister association in France, ACER, (Association des Amis des Combattants en Espagne Républicaine} about plans for an 80th anniversary trip to Spain from 23-30 October following the planned memorial unveiling at the Gare d’Austerlitz in Paris on 22 October.

Dear Friends,

Time is passing and we have to finalise plans for the trip to Spain following the ceremony scheduled for 22 October at the Gare d’Austerlitz for the memorial which our association, ACER, will inaugurate in conjunction with Paris City Council, the SNCF [French railways] and the trade union CGT-Cheminots to mark the 80th anniversary of the formation of the International Brigades.

Here are the plans:

– Depart Paris on 23 October; the train fare is very expensive (229 euros) so this will have to be by air, with Transavia or Vueling.

– Unveiling of a plaque in Benicassim at the Hotel Voramar (former International Brigade hospital in 1937); two nights in Benicassim [24/25 October].

– Onward trip to Albacete, where Manuel Requena [of the Cedobi International Brigade research centre in Albacete] is investigating the possibility of installing a plaque at the railway station: two nights in Albacete [26/27 October].

– Depart for Madrid; visits to Jarama and Guadalajara and probable unveiling of a memorial at Vicálvaro; [two nights in Madrid: 28/29 October].

– Return home on 30 October.

For the time being we do not know the cost. We will first have to find out how many people will be taking part.

Please let us know as soon as possible the number of people travelling with each association so that we can calculate the costs.

Best wishes,

Soledina Chantereau

For the Executive Committee of ACER

If you wish to take part in this trip as part of the IBMT group, email secretary@international-brigades.org.uk