7th International Che Guevara Conference
– A Great Success!
“FROM THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION TO THE CUBAN REVOLUTION: THE
QUESTION OF LEADERSHIP, IMPLEMENTING THE SOCIALIST PROJECT &
WHERE WE ARE TODAY!”
OCTOBER 27-29, 2017 - Vancouver, Canada
By Tamara Hansen
June 13-14, 2008, Vancouver
Communities in Solidarity
with Cuba (VCSC) launched
its first International Che Guevara
Conference in honour of
revolutionary Ernesto “Che”
Guevara’s 80th birthday. Titled
“Che Guevara Thinker and
Fighter: Are his ideas relevant
for the 21st Century?” the conference
brought to the forefront
the powerful ideas of the Cuban
revolution and one of its most dynamic
thinkers and leaders, Ernesto Che Guevara.
Since 2008, this Vancouver-based conference
has become an institution in Canada,
North America, and internationally for
discussing and debating the revolutionary
ideas of socialism and the fight to build a
better world. Every conference welcomes a
diverse audience from many backgrounds
including academics, workers, immigrants
and refugees, Indigenous people, organizers,
activists, and the curious. Each
event beings together people from Cuba,
Canada, the U.S. and internationally in
discussions about some of the most powerful
ideas for the future of humanity. The
7th International Che Guevara Conference
held October 27-29, 2017 was no exception
to this important tradition.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2017
Concert featuring legendary Cuban
musician Gerardo Alfonso, raising funds
for hurricane reconstruction and relief in
Cuba
On Friday October 27 over 120 people
joined Vancouver Communities in Solidarity
with Cuba (VCSC) to launch the 7th
International Che Guevara Conference
in Vancouver, Canada. It was a beautiful
evening to gather together for a concert
and fundraiser for reconstruction efforts in
Cuba after the devastating Hurricane Irma
hit the island in early September 2017.
Tamara Hansen, the coordinator of VCSC,
welcomed everyone to the event. She soon
introduced Lucy Ortiz, a Salvadorian poet
and Frida Marzolina, a Bolivian poet, both
living in Vancouver. Each woman read
beautiful poems, Lucy dedicated her poem
to children working to overcome natural
disasters, especially in Cuba and Puerto
Rico, and Frida read a poem in thanks of
Evo Morales and to celebrate the Aymaran
Indigenous culture and people of Bolivia.
Tamara then welcomed to the stage local
guests, CanAmérica, a Latin American
band performing songs of social justice
and change. They opened their set sending
a hug to the Cuban people struggling after
the hurricane, and also to the 5 Cuban
heroes free in Cuba today after spending
over 16 years unjustly held in U.S. jails.
Following the lively performance by
CanAmérica, attendees were invited to
buy raffle tickets for some exciting Cuban
prizes and the stage was set up for the
evening’s headliner, the legendary Cuban
musician, Gerardo Alfonso!
Joining us all the way from Havana, Cuba,
Gerardo Alfonso began his set on the
piano playing a wonderful mix of songs
which communicate his observations
about life, history, hopes, and aspirations.
After performing beautifully on the piano,
Gerardo let the audience know that he
had been suffering from a cold and was
holding back during his performance
so far, but was going to give it his all as
his claimed his most trusted instrument,
his guitar. Soon he had everyone singing
along with him to songs such as “Asi de
Sencillo” (As Simple As That), “Sábanas
Blancas” (White Sheets) & “Son los
Sueños Todavía” (These are Still the
Dreams). The audience was so impressed
by his performance that they demanded
an encore, he played a soothing melody to
bid everyone good night.
The dynamic concert was an enormous
success for kicking off the 3-day conference
and also raised over $1000 for the
Canadian Network on Cuba’s Hurricane
Relief and Reconstruction Fund. Everyone
was invited back to the Russian Hall
the next morning for breakfast and a full
two days of speakers, workshops, films, art
displays, food, discussion, and revolutionary
politics!
SATURDAY OCTOBER 28, 2017
Day 1 of speakers, workshops, discussion
& revolutionary politics!
On Saturday morning Tamara Hansen
opened the first full day of the 7th International
Che Guevara Conference held
under the theme of, “From the Russian
Revolution to the Cuban Revolution: The
Question of Leadership, Implementing
the Socialist Project & Where We Are
Today!” Tamara first recognized that the
Russian Hall sits on the traditional and
unceded territories of the Tsleil-Waututh
(səl̓ilwətaɁɬ), the Musqueam
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), and the Squamish
(Skwxwú7mesh) Coast Salish Nations. She
then welcomed to the stage Eagle Eyes, a
hereditary chief from the Sechelt (shíshálh)
Nation and long-time organizer for the
environment and other social justice causes,
who shared a powerful song after also recognizing
the territory.
“Fidel & Che’s Legacy in Cuba Today” was
the title of the first keynote address of the
Conference, delivered by Ms. Tania Lopez
Larroque, the Cuban Consul General of the
Cuban Consulate in Toronto. Tania started
her talk remarking how the legacy of Fidel
and Che is both easy and difficult to speak
about, as they are “everything” to the Cuban
people. Tania explained during her remarks,
“Defence of culture, I would say, is one of
the most relevant legacies Fidel and Che
have left for our country. To defend culture,
not as a slogan – not only because it is what
defines our nationality or any other aspects
of someone’s singularity – but because culture
determines people’s capacity to think,
to evaluate what is good and what is not.
That is why Fidel always said to the people
‘Read’ not ‘Believe.’”
Tania’s excellent keynote received a loud
applause from the audience and led very
well into the first conference workshop,
“When Africa Called, Fidel and Cuba
Answered”. Professor Isaac Saney, visiting
from Dalhousie University in Halifax, as
well as co-chair of the Canadian Network
on Cuba, gave an excellent presentation
on this topic, outlining the incredible role
Cuba has played in Africa since the triumph
of the Cuban revolution in 1959, especially
the decisive victory at Cuito Cuanavale
against the racist South African apartheid
army.
After a good discussion, the meeting
broke for lunch, with delicious food and
a great time to continue the conversations.
The conference then reconvened for the
second workshop, “Discussion on Music
and Race in Cuba with Legendary Cuban
Musician Gerardo Alfonso.” Gerardo
Alfonso, who had wowed everyone the
night before with his music, came to share
his ideas as an academic and artist, by
outlining the long history of music and
culture in Cuba as a tool of political struggle
and independence. He also explained
the need for culture to promote the voices
of those who have been traditionally marginalized
in Cuba and around the world,
especially Afro-Cuban artists.
After a good discussion with Gerardo, it
was time for the third workshop of the
conference, “Cooperatives & Sustainability
in the Land of Martí,” featuring
Wendy Holm, Professor of UBC’s International
Field Studies in Sustainable
Agriculture (Cuba), agrologist, economist,
author, and sustainability expert. Wendy
gave a dynamic presentation about Cuba’s
drive for environmental sustainability and
the creation of worker’s cooperatives in
both the agricultural and non-agricultural
sectors.
This led to the special session with a film
and discussion. The documentary “Mariela
Castro’s March: Cuba’s LGBT Revolution,”
outlined the history of homophobia
and transphobia in Cuba and the campaign
against them today being waged by Cuba's queer activists, the National Centre
for Sex Education (CENESEX), and
Mariela Castro, a member of Cuban parliament
and Cuban President Raul Castro’s
daughter. The moving film was followed by
talks from: Azza Rojbi, a North African
LGBTQ+ organizer in Vancouver and
coordinator of Friends of Cuba Against the
U.S. Blockade-Vancouver; Moon Vázquez,
a Latina Lesbian Feminist on the national
steering committee of the U.S. Women &
Cuba Collaboration; and Deb Goldman,
also an organizer with the U.S. Women &
Cuba Collaboration from Seattle, Washington.
All three women spoke about their
experiences visiting with organizers in the
queer community in Cuba. Each shared
moving personal anecdotes illustrating
the important struggles and victories of
LGBTQ+ people in Cuba.
After a dynamic day covering many topics,
it was time for the session on, “Marxism,
Communism and the Relevancy of
Revolutionary Ideas Today.” This special
session was organized to mark one year
since the passing of Fidel Castro, 50 years
after Che’s Assassination & 100 years after
the triumph of the Russian Revolution. It
featured four speakers: Tamara Hansen,
coordinator of VCSC and author of the
book “5 Decades of the Cuban Revolution:
The Challenges of an Unwavering Leadership”
(Battle of Ideas Press, 2010); Henry
Heller, Professor of History at the University
of Manitoba and Marxist scholar;
Tania Lopez Larroque, Consul General
of the Cuban Consulate in Toronto; and
Luis Morlote Rivas, Vice-President of
the Cuban Union of Writers and Artists
(UNEAC) and a member of the Cuban
National Assembly, visiting from Havana,
Cuba. Each speaker reflected on revolutionary
history and struggle, as well as the
role of revolutionaries today to continue
learning, organizing, and building towards
a better world. There were many comments
from the floor and the evening wrapped
up with ongoing discussions and plans to
return Sunday morning to continue and
deepen the discussions, and debates of the
7th International Che Guevara Conference.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 29, 2017
Day 2 of speakers, workshops, discussion
& revolutionary politics!
The conference was honoured to open
the stage Sunday morning to Chief Bob
Chamberlin, Vice-President Union of BC
Indian Chiefs and Elected Chief Councilor
Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First
Nation, who brought special greetings. As
a conference addressing many issues around
building a better world, he reminded the
audience that any discussions on change in
Canada must take into consideration the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights
of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), and
build towards equality, justice, and respect
for Indigenous people and their land rights.
Soon after, the conference welcomed
Arnold August, journalist and author
of many books including: “Cuba and
Its Neighbours: Democracy in Motion”
(Fernwood Publishing/Zed Books, 2013)
and “Cuba-U.S. Relations: Obama and
Beyond” (Fernwood, 2017). Arnold gave the
Sunday opening keynote address on “Cuba-
U.S. Relations: Obama and Beyond.” He
explained the policy of U.S. imperialism
towards Cuba from Cuba’s independence
from Spain, to today under President
Trump, in a wide-ranging and educational
talk. He also explained the importance
of the ongoing campaign against the U.S.
blockade on Cuba and encouraged people
to join efforts across Quebec and Canada to
end this unjust U.S. policy.
The fourth workshop was led by Helen
Yaffe, an Economic History Fellow at the
London School of Economics and author
of “Che Guevara: The
Economics of Revolution”
(Palgrave Macmillan,
2009) who joined
via video conference
from London, England.
She spoke on the main
themes of her book, as
well as many updates
related to the economic
and social guidelines of
2011. Helen’s ability to
break down the complex
economic ideas of
Che Guevara and their
implementation was a
highlight for many at the conference.
After enjoying lunch prepared by a local
Cuban chef, everyone came back for the
fifth workshop, “Cuba’s 2011 Economic
& Social Guidelines: The gains and challenges
today.” Led by Luis Morlote Rivas,
Vice-President of the Cuban Union of
Writers and Artists (UNEAC) and a
member of the Cuban National Assembly.
He who spoke about the changes brought
by Cuba’s social and economic guidelines,
both positive and negative. Luis outlined
many examples of how the government
and parliament is consulting with their
feedback to make further changes and
adjustments, while continuing on the path
of socialism.
The sixth workshop titled, “Cuba and
Its Neighbours: Democracy in Motion”
featured Arnold August who returned to
the stage to speak on the themes of his
second book – Cuba’s electoral system
and Cuba’s role in Latin America and the
world. Arnold gave a detailed explanation
of Cuba’s democratic electoral system
and the role of the Communist Party of
Cuba in Cuban society. The workshop was
followed by a chance for everyone to buy
copies of Arnold’s books and have them
signed by the author!
For the seventh workshop, the conference
was grateful for the presence of the Venezuelan
Consul General of Vancouver, Wilfredo
Perez Bianco, who spoke on the issue
of “Building Solidarity with Venezuela
Today.” Wilfredo specifically looked at the
power of the ALBA alliance between Cuba
and Venezuela and its grassroots associations
of ALBA-TCP. He outlined what
unity amongst poor and oppressed people
has been able to accomplish, as well as the
heavy attacks the Venezuelan government is
facing today, and the need for international
solidarity.
The final workshop was followed by the
closing keynote address, which was on the
theme of the conference, “From the Russian
Revolution to the Cuban Revolution: The
Question of Leadership, Implementing the
Socialist Project & Where We Are Today.”
The presenter was Ali Yerevani, political
editor of the Fire This Time Newspaper.
Ali explained, “We oppressed people, we
working people, we must
look at ourselves with more
confidence. With more
understanding that we need
to work together in a united
way in order to bring back
what we accomplished and
what we established with the
Russian Revolution of 1917
and Cuban Revolution of
1959.” With these inspiring
words, many of the threads
and ideas discussed throughout
the conference became
more concrete and tangible.
As the conference drew to a close, Thomas
Davies, executive member of Vancouver
Communities in Solidarity with Cuba
(VCSC), gave an impassioned conference
summary appealing to the audience to
get involved in building solidarity and a
movement for change.
One of the most powerful moments of
the conference was the Indigenous closing
featuring Kelly White, Coast Salish elder;
Martin Sparrow, of Musqueam nation;
Shona Shutter, of Okanagan nation; and
Vivian Sandy, of the Shuswap and Northern
Diné nations. Martin Sparrow shared a
new born song to unite Indigenous people
around the world, encouraging other
peoples to also support their struggles. The
three Cuban guests, Tania Lopez Larroque,
Gerardo Alfonso, and Luis Morlote
Rivas, were gifted beautiful star blankets
recognizing the medicine wheel and four
directions. Kelly White invited each guest
at the conference to join in a circle with
the Cuban guests and thank them for their
participation. She concluded chanting, “In
the spirit of Indigenous peoples’ right to
life, We Will Win against the enemy to
our peace! Viva! To those who are the
enemy to our peace, we don’t know how
to quit, we have no words for surrender!
Viva our next 7 generations!” As the 7th
International Che Guevara Conference
came to a close, Tamara Hansen thanked
Kelly, Shona, Vivian and Martin for their
strong and memorable closing.
With over 350 people in attendance over
three days, as well as 161 live stream
participants, over 450 views on Youtube,
and a diversity of revolutionary topics and
themes discussed, the Che Guevara Conference
was an important success. The conference
featured many prominent guests
from Cuba, Venezuela, the Middle East,
Africa, England, the U.S., and Canada,
including many speakers representing
those who are traditionally underrepresented
in political discourse: Indigenous
people, people of colour, LGBTQ+ people,
young people, and women. Now is the
time to join together and continue building
towards the better world we know is
possible, and necessary!
For further photos, reports, and videos of
the 7th International Che Guevara Conference:
www.cheguevaraconference.ca
Follow Tamara Hansen on Twitter: @THans01
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