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Do You Want to Travel to Cuba?
Join the 20th Ernesto Che Guevara
Volunteer Work Brigade!
Information and Cultural Night
Who wants to Travel to Cuba?!
“Everyone!” exclaimed participants of the Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) info and cultural night about the Ernesto Che Guevara Volunteer Work Brigade to Cuba. This year, 2012 will be the 20th anniversary of the exciting brigade which every year brings people of all ages and backgrounds from Canada to Cuba to enjoy a three week cultural, political and social exchange.
Over 50 people crowded Los Compadres restaurant in Burnaby, BC to learn about the Brigade, share stories from previous years and enjoy a cultural evening with live music and poetry.
VCSC coordinator Tamara Hansen introduced the evening with the film “Sin Embargo” a short film by about the damaging effects of the cruel blockade by the U.S. government against Cuba.
After the film Tamara Hansen and VCSC organizer Payvand Pejvack gave a slide show presentation on the 2011 Che Guevara Brigade, which they participated on and included some photos of years previous highlighting some of the great moments in the brigades history like participating in International Workers Day on May 1st alongside millions of Cubans.
After the slide show Shakeel Lochan a local poet and activist who traveled on the brigade in 2009 read two poems he had written about Cuba and the brigade. One he had written during the trip and the other directly upon his return from Cuba. Both poems were met with please from the crowd.
At this point, the program was opened up for past participants on the brigade to tell stories and anecdotes from the trip. Many people participated including Mike Larson, Sarah Alwell, Thomas Davies and many more who have all been on the brigade at least once. The stories were inspiring and very encouraging for people who are planning to join the 2012 brigade.
Free the Cuban 5 Committee-Vancouver coordinator, Noah Fine, introduced the case of the 5 Cuban political prisoners being held in U.S. prisons. He invited participants to the next monthly protest to free the 5 in Vancouver.
Hip Hop artist Joose Justis who was in Cuba for the annual Hip Hop Symposium also reflected on his time in Cuba last August before he gave a taste of some of his music including a song he had co-written with Cuban hip hop artists.
The evening was concluded with music, questions and answers from people planning to participate in the 20th Anniversary brigade which will be in Cuba from April 29-May18, 2012.
Proceeds made at the event will be used to help young people from Vancouver to travel on the brigade.
If you would like more information about the Ernesto Che Guevara Volunteer Work Brigade to Cuba or you would like to donate to the Vancouver effort please contact:
778-882-5223
or visit:
http://www.canadiannetworkoncuba.ca/brigade/
