A Heuch for Victor Jara!

If you live in Edinburgh or within easy reach, why not go along to what sounds like a cracking night on Saturday 14 May.

A tonic for all bruised activists. (and a celebration for jubilant ones), A Ceilidh for Victor Jara with the Cosmic Ceilidh Collective is at the Tollcross Community Centre in Embra, @ 7.00pm. £10/8 - http://geomium.com/event/0005159792524075349/

Victor Jara was a theatre director and folk singer/songwriter who infused Chile and South America's cultural identity in the 60's and early 70's with a pride and respect for its local roots. He was tortured and killed during the days of Pinochet's military coup in 1973, and became synonymous with the Chilean resistance to Pinochet.

His widow, Joan Jara and one of her daughters, Manuela Bunster will be present at the Ceilidh. They set up the Victor Jara Foundation, which will receive the proceeds of this ceilidh. It exists to preserve the memory of Víctor’s artistic heritage and works on a range of cultural and human rights projects.

The Number One Social event of 2011

At this time of year, people’s thoughts often turn to the potential of next year’s holidays, and an increasing number now plan Southern Africa trips. 

While we often celebrate the success of the Anti Apartheid Movement (AAM) and the African National Congress (ANC) in ridding South Africa of the scourge of apartheid, anyone who has travelled there will tell you that there is still much that needs to be done.

Scotland’s former campaigners against apartheid know this more than most, and formed a successor organisation to AAM, Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), to work for peace, democracy, reconstruction and development in Southern Africa, and works to increase knowledge and understanding in Scotland of that region, including the legacies of apartheid and its widespread destructive consequences.

ACTSA in Scotland runs an annual event around this time, marking the anniversary of the founding of the ANC in 1912. This is always a very social event and involves a buffet meal, a pay bar and a ceilidh - featuring the toe-tapping tunes of George Reid and his Ceilidh band! And all this for a Fiver!. 

It all takes place at the STUC, on January 15th, 2011 and is usually a great night.

Those of you who know me will, by now, be waiting for the punch line, and in order not to disappoint I have acquired a number of tickets for the number one social event of 2011! 

If you want to go please email me - chrisbartter@btinternet.com. See you there!