Since the February 19th, 2008 announcement by Fidel Castro that he would not accept the nomination to continue on as the president of Cuba’s State Council, which is also the position of president of Cuba, there has been a renewed interest in Cuban politics by friends, and also enemies, of Cuba worldwide. March 17th – 22nd 2008, Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) hosted a successful B.C. wide speaking tour titled “Cuba Beyond Fidel” to discuss the gains of the Cuban revolution under Fidel’s leadership and the significance of his decision for the Cuban people and the Cuba revolution. The tour featured two prominent and knowledgeable speakers on Cuban politics and the Cuban social system: Tamara Columbié and John Waller. Tamara Columbié is the head of the Department of International Cooperation of the Cuban Federation of Women (FMC). She spoke during the tour about the gains of the Cuban revolution, the advancements for women’s rights and the perspective of Cubans on Fidel’s decision. She emphasized that the Cuban people, with Fidel’s leadership, made huge gains in the last 49 years including the development of mass organizations like the FMC, and that all Cubans are the engine and driving force of their revolution. With a membership of 4.1 million women consisting of 86.7% of all Cuban women ages 14 and older, the FMC is the largest women's organization in any one country. Tamara’s experience as a leader in Cuba was complimented by John Waller’s experience as a leading Cuba solidarity activist, who is currently the International Coordinator of the Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan to Cuba. In July 2008, the Caravan will travel to Cuba via Canada, the US and Mexico for the 19th time carrying over 60 tonnes of aid to challenge the US blockade and travel ban against Cuba. John spoke on the US blockade against Cuba and the US government’s response to Fidel’s decision in light of the coming US presidential elections. The tour touched on 4 university and college campuses, where over 140 students and faculty participated in events at the University of British Columbia, University of Victoria, Langara College and Capilano College. Campus groups like the UBC AMS Social Justice Center, the Capilano Social Justice Committee and the Capilano Students’ Union participated in co-organizing events on their campuses and encouraging students to attend. Campus departments showed their enthusiasm for the tour as department heads came to give a welcoming at the events and endorsement was given by the UBC Latin American Studies Department, the Langara Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and the Langara Department of Sociology & Anthropology. The tour also traveled to Vancouver Island to the Comox Valley and Victoria. In Victoria, there was an evening event sponsored by Victoria Goods for Cuba, followed by a lengthy and enthusiastic discussion with the 45 people who attended. In the Comox Valley, the new group, Comox Valley Friends of Cuba, organized part of this tour as their first ever event along with VCSC and the Comox Valley Peace Group. This event was a big success with around 45 people, on the topic of “Elections and Democracy in Cuba, Present and Future.” Near the end of the tour, a celebratory city-wide event was held in Vancouver at the Mt. Pleasant Neighbourhood House. Over 70 people attended the evening which began with a reading of poetry written by the Cuban 5. Michael Larsen, an organizer with the Free the Cuban Five Committee - Vancouver, read from a book of the expressions of the 5 Cuban heroes unjustly held in US jails for investigating anti-Cuban terrorist groups in Miami. After this Kelly White and Vivian, two Indigenous activists and Coast Salish elders, drummed and spoke passionately about the oppression that Indigenous people face and the hope that the Cuban revolution brings them. They welcomed Tamara Columbié, as their Cuban sister, to be a part of a blanketing ceremony. After enjoying a delicious dinner, the participants heard from the featured speakers, who welcomed questions and discussion. To close the evening, the celebrated Vancouver spoken-word artist Kevan Cameron (aka Scruffmouth) performed, followed by music from Joaquin Ernesto, the host of the Latin American show “Romantic Tango” on Coop Radio. The “Cuba Beyond Fidel” tour was a great success with students, teachers and community members who showed their interest in learning more about how the Cuban people are continuing the achievements of their revolution and fight against the blockade with Fidel’s legacy and with Fidel side-by-side with the Cuban people as a “foot soldier in the battle of ideas.” Slam-poetry in support of Cuba - Scruffmouth performs at the Vancouver City-wide Event!	Report Back Cuba Beyond Fidel BC-wide Speaking Tour Featuring Tamara Columbie, Department of International Cooperation for the Federation of Cuban Women & John Waller, International Coordinator for Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan to Cuba First day of the tour: a successful forum at UBC! Day 2: Langara College! Interested students at Capilano College participate in the forum on their campus! University of Victoria Event Victoria City-wide Event The Opening of the Vancouver City-wide Event. John Waller from Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan to Cuba speaking at the Vancouver City-wide event Vancouver City-wide Event Vancouver City-wide Event