Friends of the International Brigade

SECRETARY : Dolly West , 82 Sydney Road , London , SW20 8EF

A number of descendants, relatives and friends of British international brigaders have had a series of meetings lately in order to form Friends of the International Brigades. This came about following the visit to Spain in November 1996 of surviving members of the International Brigades at the unanimous invitation of the Spanish Government.

The purpose is to keep alive an interest in the involvement of the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War, not as a solitary historical event in the past, but as part of a common struggle enshrined in the aims of the Spanish Republic and its fight against international fascism. And particularly because, since membership of the International Brigades Association is confined solely to those who actually served, this will eventually pass away, and there needs to be a continuum. Membership of Friends of the International Brigades is open to anyone with a genuine interest, particularly relations and descendants of Brigaders. It is hoped to have regular gatherings in many parts of the country, following an inaugural meeting probably in London, and to issue a news-letter keeping members informed of matters of interest and activities to do with members and other like-minded organisations.

The International Brigade Friends Association

Jesus Gonzalez de Miguel A.A.B.I. member

The International Brigades Friends Association try to perpetuate not just veterans memoirs but their example as international generosity and solidarity with the Spanish Republic, and what people called then "the last cause".

Since the 1996 Homage finished, the A.A.B.I.( International Brigades Friends Association), have tried to recover the 'internationals' historical heritage and to keep their example alive . We have developed several activities, for instance: The Association has signed an agreement with Castilla-La Mancha Government in order to setup the International Brigaders archive in Albacete, where their headquarters were in the war.

Veterans agreed this resolution and gave us their support. Their historical heritage will be treated in a very professional way of course, it is absolutely guaranteed. We intend that archive will be a permanent and alive homage, an example for everybody and a very special legacy for new generations.

An Exhibition about the International Brigades and the Spanish Civil War will be inaugurated to celebrate the agreement next April in Albacete, with unpublished material and 52 panels. After this, different Spanish cities will be visited such as Barcelona, Madrid, Oviedo, and Seville. We have travelled around the world to recover different materials from brigaders for in a close future, Albacete fund: archives, memoirs, private libraries or just to keep in touch with veterans or descendants associations. We have been in Great Britain many times, Bulgaria, Rumania,Poland, Italy,United States, Luxembourg, Cuba, Russia, Switzerland and Sweden

We have helped Bulgarian and Rumanian veterans starting up a deposit account which has been a great success. They are in very depressed situation and we have tried to help them.

The Association has developed didactic areas for schools, high schools and universities in order to reflect brigaders solidarity as an example for humankind.

We are in touch with descendants , friends or veterans associations and we should like to set up, in the near future, a federation with all of them.

We will hold Conferences in high schools and universities to make their example known and of course to bring this chapter of Spanish history, badly treated by fascist historiography, closer to all of us.

We should also like to publish books or articles that may be of interest .

A.A.B.I is a human group opened to all kind of collaborations, ideas or projects. It is a passionate job, and above all, for everyone who fell fascinated for this matter. If you would like to be in touch with us or just be a member, here is our address or you may visit our Web page :

Asociacion de Amigos de las Brigadas Internacionales
Campomanes , 8 , 1o A
28013 Madrid
Tel:5478810/ Fax:5473518
E-mail :aabi@tinet.fut.es / website :
http://www.fut.es/%7Eaabi/aab-info.htm